'If US wants to talk, it should adopt an attitude of equality, respect': China amid fresh tariff threat

China on Tuesday told the United States that if it wants to hold talks, it should show "respect”, after US President Donald Trump imposed wide-ranging tariffs that triggered a trade dispute.
China's foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said, "If the US really wants to talk, it should adopt an attitude of equality, respect and mutual benefit.” He added, "If the US ignores the interests of both countries and the international community and insists on a tariff war and a trade war, China will definitely fight to the end.”
China also said the United States was using "pressure, threats and blackmail”, after President Trump suggested an additional 50 per cent tariff on Chinese goods.
Lin Jian said, "Tariff wars have no winners, and protectionism has no way out. Chinese people don't make trouble, but are not afraid of it. Pressure, threats and blackmail are not the right way to deal with China.”
President Trump has introduced high tariffs, which some fear could affect the global economy. He has said there will be no change in his trade strategy, even after markets dropped sharply.
Trump believes the tariffs will bring manufacturing back to the United States by pushing foreign companies to move their operations to the US instead of producing goods overseas.
China, which is both a major trade partner and economic competitor of the US, replied by announcing its own tariffs of 34 per cent on American products starting Thursday. This increased tensions between the two countries.
After China’s announcement, Trump warned he would raise tariffs further if Beijing continued to respond to his measures. If imposed, total tariffs on Chinese goods could reach 104 per cent.
At the White House, Trump said, "I have great respect for China but they can not do this. We are going to have one shot at this. I'll tell you what, it is an honour to do it.”
In response, China said the US was trying to use "blackmail” and that it would "never accept” the tariffs.
A spokesperson for China’s commerce ministry said, "If the US insists on going its own way, China will fight it to the end.”
The ministry added, "If the US escalates its tariff measures, China will resolutely take countermeasures to safeguard its own rights and interests.”