China's Commerce Ministry said today that Beijing will "fight to the end" if necessary, but remains open to dialogue with the United States (US) after President Donald Trump announced that he would impose new tariffs on imports from that country.
"If you want to fight, we will fight to the end. If you want to negotiate, our door remains open," a Commerce Department spokesman said.
Trump announced on Friday, October 10, that the US would impose additional 100 percent tariffs on Chinese goods, in addition to those already in force, and that the measure would take effect no later than November 1.
He said at the time that he was reacting to Beijing's announcement of new controls on the export of rare earth technologies.
China is the world's leading producer of these minerals, which are used in the technology, energy and weapons industries, and they are one of the key points of trade disputes between Beijing and Washington.
A Chinese ministry spokesman added that the US "cannot simultaneously seek dialogue and threaten to impose new restrictions" and added that "that's not how you talk to China."
He stated that Beijing's new measures "do not constitute an export ban."
"Applications (for exports) that meet current requirements will continue to be licensed as before, and we will maintain the security and stability of global industrial and supply chains," the spokesman said.
He concluded that "the last four rounds of economic and trade negotiations have clearly shown that China and the US can find solutions to problems based on mutual respect and equal consultations."
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