China vowed to retaliate against the US with “necessary countermeasures” if Washington proceeds with higher tariffs on its imports later this week, Beijing said on Wednesday, on the eve of a pivotal negotiating session to salvage the chances of a trade deal between the two countries.
After the US formally announced that it would raise levies on $200bn of Chinese goods from 10 per cent to 25 per cent, the Chinese commerce ministry issued a statement saying that the escalation was not in the “interests” of the two countries or the world.
“China deeply regrets it and if the US tariffs are implemented, China will have to take necessary countermeasures,” it said.