China's commerce ministry on Tuesday, April 8, vowed to fight US tariffs "to the end", after US President Donald Trump threatened fresh levies of 50% on imports from the world's second-largest economy.
"The US threat to escalate tariffs against China is a mistake on top of a mistake, which once again exposes the US's blackmailing nature," a ministry spokesperson said. "China will never accept this," they insisted.
"If the US insists on going its own way, China will fight it to the end," the spokesperson added. "If the US escalates its tariff measures, China will resolutely take countermeasures to safeguard its own rights and interests," they said.
Trump upended the world economy last week with sweeping tariffs that have raised fears of an international recession and triggered criticism even from within his own Republican Party.
As the trade war escalates, Beijing − Washington's major economic rival − unveiled its own 34% duties on US goods to come into effect on Thursday.
China's commerce ministry also on Tuesday reiterated that it sought "dialogue" with the United States, and that there were "no winners in a trade war".