China: US has challenged the entire world by imposing tariffs; we will fight with all our might

Afghan Voice Agency (AVA) - International Service: Lin Jian, a spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said on Thursday that the United States has challenged the entire world by imposing tariffs and has entered into confrontation with it.

 

On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump announced that he would increase tariffs on imports from China to 125 percent; this decision was made immediately after Beijing imposed a 50 percent tariff on American goods in response to the recent increase in US tariffs.

 

“Washington, pursuing only its own selfish interests, is using tariffs as a tool to exert strong pressure to gain its own interests,” Lin told reporters. “This action grossly violates the legitimate rights and interests of other countries, violates the rules of the World Trade Organization, undermines the rules-based multilateral trading system, and deals a serious blow to the stability of the global economic order.”

 

“With these actions, the United States is challenging and confronting the entire world,” the Chinese foreign ministry spokesman added.

 

“Taking necessary countermeasures against the United States is not only to safeguard China’s sovereignty, security and development interests, but also to uphold international justice, uphold the multilateral trading system, and safeguard the common interests of the international community,” the Chinese diplomat said. “I would like to reiterate that there are no winners in tariff and trade wars,” he added.

 

China does not want war, but it is not afraid of war either.

 

“We will not stand by and watch as the Chinese people are deprived of their legitimate rights and interests, nor will we remain silent in the face of the destruction of international economic and trade rules and the multilateral trading system,” Lin said.

 

“If the United States insists on provoking trade and tariff wars, China will fight to the death. The United States will face even tougher resistance from the world by sacrificing the legitimate rights of other countries for its own interests,” Lin said.

 

Meanwhile, He Yongqian, a spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, said on Thursday that China will never accept pressure and intimidation from the United States, and Beijing will take resolute measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.