The Chinese Government appealed to the U.S. Government on Thursday to stay calm and fix its approach, following the recent declaration of the U.S. Government that it will further raise 25-percent on US$200-billion worth of Chinese goods.
"We urge the United States to correct its attitude and not to try to blackmail China because it will never work," said Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang. "We advise the United States to be level-headed and avoid simply acting on impulse; otherwise, it will ultimate hurt itself."
U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer announced on Wednesday that U.S. President Donald Trump is planning to increase the import duties of Chinese goods by 25 percent instead of the 10 percent that he previously announced.
Spokesperson Geng also said that the Chinese Government is always open to dialogue with U.S. He, however, emphasized that such dialogue should be based on "mutual respect, equality, rules, and credibility."
While attending a regional meeting in Singapore, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi also mentioned this sentiment over the planned increase of tariffs to Chines goods by the U.S. Government.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang said that he hoped that the U.S. trade policymakers will be cool-headed. He added that the U.S. should listen to the voice of its consumers and take into consideration the sentiments of the American business community. He emphasized as well that the U.S. trade threats and so-called "pressure" will not, in any way, adversely affect China.
Foreign Minister Wang added that such movement of the U.S. will boomerang to the U.S. as its American companies operating in China will be the ones that will suffer the burden. It is like that the U.S. put more tariffs to its own companies.
China's Foreign Ministry advised the U.S. Government to correct its attitude and not to resort in blackmail. It added that the U.S. should be reasonable and not let emotions direct its decisions especially when it comes to state policies because of this will, in return, harm themselves.
The Chinese Commerce Ministry also made a comment about this recent threat to the U.S. Government. In a statement posted on its website, the Chinese Commerce Ministry said that such movement of the U.S. would disappoint other countries that are opposed to trade wars.
The Chinese Commerce Ministry also said that China is fully ready and prepared in case the trade threats of the U.S. Government will really escalate into a severe trade war between two nations.
"China will have to fight back to defend its dignity and the interest of the people," as posted by the Chinese Commerce Ministry in its website.
