China firmly opposes tariff deals at expense of China's interests: MOC

(ECNS) -- China firmly opposes any deal between the U.S. and its trading partners for tariff exemptions at the expense of China's interests, said the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) on Monday.

China respects the rights of all parties to resolve their trade differences with the U.S. through equal consultations, said a spokesperson for the MOC.

China believes that on the issue of "reciprocal tariffs," all parties should stand on the side of fairness and justice, and the right side of history. They should uphold international trade rules and the multilateral trading system, he noted.

"China will never accept such deeds and resolutely take reciprocal countermeasures. China has the resolve and capability to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests," he said.

No one can remain unaffected by unilateralism and protectionism, the spokesperson stressed, adding that all nations will fall victim if international trade regresses to a "jungle law" where the strong prey on the weak.

"China stands ready to strengthen solidarity and coordination with all parties, jointly resist unilateral bullying acts, safeguard our legitimate rights and interests, and uphold international fairness and justice," he said.

Pursuing so-called exemptions by sacrificing others' interests for selfish, short-term gains is like "bargaining with a tiger," it will ultimately harm others without benefiting itself, the spokesperson concluded.

(By Zhang Dongfang)