trump administration: China warns US is 'opening fire' on the world with tariff threats

BEIJING: The United States is "opening fire" on the world with its tariffs, China warned on Thursday, saying no one wants a trade war but it will respond to the moment rhetoric in the heated dispute.

The Trump Administration's tariffs on $ 34 billion of Chinese imports are due to go into effect at 0401 GMT on Friday, which is just after midday in Beijing.

US President Donald Trump has been attacked by Chinese imports of goods and services. .

China has said it would not be "fire the first shot", but it would not be easy to do so.

Speaking at a weekly news conference, Commerce Ministry spokesman Gao Feng warned the proposed US tariffs would hit international supply chains, including foreign companies in the world's second-largest economy. "If the US implements tariffs, they will actually be adding tariffs to companies from all countries, including Chinese and US companies," Gao said.

"US measures are essentially attacking global supply and value chains. To put it simply, the US is opening fire on the entire world, including itself, "he said.

"China will not bow down in the face of threats and blackmail and will not falter from its determination to defend the trade and the multilateral system." Asked whether US companies would be targeted with "qualitative measures" in China in a trade war, Gao said the government would protect the legal rights of foreigners in the country.

Gao said China's foreign trade is expected to continue in the second half of the year, but it is likely to be a full-blown blow to Chinese exports and its economy.