China asks US to resolve economic, trade issues through talks

China urged on Wednesday the United States to correct wrong moves and resolve economic and trade issues through dialogue and consultation.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian made the remarks after US President Donald Trump accused China of deliberately halting soybean imports from the US, and threatened to stop imports of cooking oil from China.

China and the US should resolve relevant economic and trade issues through dialogue and consultation on the basis of equality, respect and mutual benefit, Lin told a daily news briefing.

Lin reiterated that China's position on handling China-US trade and economic issues has always been consistent and clear. "There are no winners in a trade war or a tariff war, and such moves serve no one's interests," he said.

Lin also urged Washington to correct its wrong practices as soon as possible after US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on Tuesday that it depended on China whether additional 100 percent tariffs on its exports to the US kick in on November 1 or sooner. Greer also claimed Chinese officials were making "contradictory statements" about the latest rare earth export controls.

In response to Greer's remarks, Lin said China implements export control measures in accordance with the law in order to better safeguard regional and global peace and stability, and to fulfill its international non-proliferation obligations. "This is in line with international practices," he added.

"China's stance has been consistent and transparent," Lin said. "In contrast, the US has been saying it wants to talk while at the same time threatening to impose hefty tariffs and introducing new restrictive measures. This is not the right way to engage with China."