“If they want to fight, we will fight to the end; if they want to talk, the door is open,” declared China’s Ministry of Commerce in a statement, responding to the White House’s announcement of additional 100% tariffs on Chinese products and other restrictive measures.
Beijing defended the recent restrictions on the export of rare earths and associated products as “legitimate actions” under national law and highlighted that it is not a total ban, since requests that meet the requirements “will continue to be approved as before.”
The ministry stated that China had previously notified the United States about these measures through the bilateral dialogue mechanism on export control.
Chinese authorities accuse Washington of “abusing the concept of national security” and introducing “a series of discriminatory restrictions” since the last round of trade talks held in September in Madrid.
The spokesperson urged the United States to “correct their mistakes,” show “genuine sincerity,” and work “in the same direction” as China to resume the path of economic dialogue.
However, Beijing recalled that “both countries share broad common interests and a great space for cooperation” and that confrontation “harms both parties.”
The statement indicates that the two countries maintain contact within the framework of the economic and trade consultation mechanism and even held a “technical meeting” on Monday.
Nevertheless, it criticized the fact that the U.S. tries to engage in dialogue “while threatening with new sanctions,” considering it “not the proper way to deal with China.”
The exchange of declarations comes amid renewed trade tensions after China announced new restrictions on rare earth exports last week, and Washington responded with the threat to double tariffs on Chinese products.
On Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump stated he no longer saw reasons to meet with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping at the APEC summit scheduled for the end of the month in South Korea, although both countries assure that diplomatic contact “remains open.”
