Kathmandu. China on Wednesday warned that it would “not be afraid” to fight a trade war with the United States after US President Donald Trump said it was up to Beijing to decide what came to the negotiating table.
However, China has also called on the US again for talks. “If the US really wants to resolve the problem through dialogue and negotiation, it should stop its excessive pressure policy of threats and blackmail and engage with China on the basis of equality, respect and mutual benefit,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian.
Trump initially imposed tariffs on Chinese imports over China’s alleged role in the fentanyl supply chain. Recently, those tariffs have been sharply increased on trade practices that Washington considers unfair.
This year, President Trump has imposed an additional 145 percent tariff on many goods coming from China. This includes 20 percent on fentanyl and other illegal drugs and more than 125 percent on trade practices.
The Trump administration has temporarily exempted some tech products, such as smartphones and laptops, from recent tax increases. The US president said on Tuesday, “The ball is in China’s court. China needs to make a deal with us,” according to a statement read by President Trump’s press secretary, Carolyn Levitt.
Beijing’s Lin responded on Wednesday, saying, “The US started this tariff war, and China’s position is clear that there are no winners in a tariff war or a trade war. This means that China does not want to fight a war, but if it does, it will not be afraid to face it.”
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