Beijing and Washington are already on track to raise blanket tariffs on each other this week. Trump on Monday added a new threat to put an additional 50% levy on Chinese imports.
US threats and pressure are “not the right way to engage” with China and the nation will defend its interests, China’s embassy in Washington said.
“The US hegemonic move in the name of ‘reciprocity’ serves its selfish interests at the expense of other countries’ legitimate interests and puts ‘America first’ over international rules,” embassy spokesman Liu Pengyu said in response to a question on the latest US move.
“China will firmly safeguard its legitimate rights and interests,” he said, without specifying any actions.
