China will not back down to US tariff threats: Foreign Ministry

Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said on Tuesday that China will fight back to the end if the United States disregards the interests of both countries and the international community, and insists on starting a tariff war or trade war.

His remarks came after US President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to impose an additional 50 percent tariff on imports from China.

China strongly condemns and firmly opposes the US indiscriminately imposing tariffs, and will take necessary measures to resolutely defend its legitimate and lawful rights and interests, Lin told a daily news briefing.

"The Chinese people do not provoke trouble but are not afraid of it either. Pressuring, threatening and extortion are not the right ways to deal with China."

Lin emphasized that the US' move is typical unilateralism and protectionism, which has drawn widespread opposition from the international community.

"It severely infringes on the legitimate rights and interests of various countries, flagrantly violates the rules of the World Trade Organization, seriously undermines the rules-based multilateral trading system, and significantly disrupts the stability of the global economic order," Lin added.

He reiterated that there are no winners in a tariff or trade war, and protectionism leads to nowhere.