“If such a situation arises, China will firmly strike back to protect its own legitimate rights and interests,” she added, without elaborating on what those steps would entail.
The comments are a reiteration of China’s line since the US started working on a slew of deals with trade partners around the world that are aimed at trimming America’s trade deficit.
They come after President Donald Trump said he had reached an agreement with Vietnam that places a 40% levy on any goods deemed to be transshipped through the country.
Some companies have been moving products made in China through Vietnam to skirt US tariffs, activity the Trump administration wants to curtail.
See also: Trump's 50% tariffs on India take effect, among the highest in the world
When asked about the status of a probe into European Union brandy sold in China, he said the ministry would make a final decision in the coming days.
