China will resolutely safeguard its legitimate rights and interests in the face of new tariffs imposed by the United States, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said on Monday.
At a regular press briefing in Beijing, Lin addressed a media query regarding the possibility of a meeting between Chinese and U.S. leaders to discuss tariff issues. "Regarding your specific question about the talks, I would refer you to competent Chinese authorities for further details. We have repeatedly emphasized that pressuring or threatening China is not a right way to engage with us. China will firmly defend its legitimate rights and interests," said the spokesman.
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China vows to firmly defend its interests in response to US tariffs
China vows to firmly defend its interests in response to US tariffs
China vows to firmly defend its interests in response to US tariffs
China vows to firmly defend its interests in response to US tariffs
China vows to firmly defend its interests in response to US tariffs
In a bold move to overhaul U.S. trade policy, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a new set of levies last week, imposing a 10-percent baseline tariff on imports from all trading partners, with higher rates applied to specific countries.
China vows to firmly defend its interests in response to US tariffs
China vows to firmly defend its interests in response to US tariffs
China vows to firmly defend its interests in response to US tariffs
China vows to firmly defend its interests in response to US tariffs
China vows to firmly defend its interests in response to US tariffs
The United States' push to revoke China's Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) status, or granting the Most Favored Nation (MFN) treatment permanently, is a clear instance of unilateralism and trade protectionism, according to a white paper released by China's State Council Information Office on Wednesday.
The white paper, titled "China's Position on Some Issues Concerning China-US Economic and Trade Relations", aims to clarify the facts about the bilateral economic and trade relations between the two countries and lay out China's position on relevant issues.
The white paper said that the PNTR status is the ballast of China-U.S. economic and trade relations.
The U.S. push to revoke this status violates the rules of the World Trade Organization's (WTO), undermines China-U.S. relations, and disrupts the global economic order, the white paper noted.
According to the white paper, WTO rules require its members to unconditionally grant MFN treatment to all other members, a requirement that has binding legal force.
Over the past two decades, the PNTR has served to stabilize China-U.S. economic and trade relations. Revoking China's PNTR status will see China-U.S. economic and trade relations returning to the uncertainty and unpredictability that preceded China's accession to the WTO in 2001.
China opposes any unilateralist and protectionist acts that sabotage the multilateral trading system and hopes that the U.S. will be clearly aware of the possible harm caused by its attempt to revoke China's MFN status, the white paper said.
The white paper called on the U.S. to work constructively with the overwhelming majority of WTO members in safeguarding a fair and reasonable global economic and trade order and environment.
Rescinding China's most favored nation status undermines foundation of China-US trade relations: white paper
