China warns US that pressure tactics will not work

Beijing warned Washington on Wednesday that pursuing a deal with China while constantly exerting extreme pressure "is not the right way to deal with the Chinese side, and it will not work".

Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun made the comment at a regular news conference in Beijing when responding to US President Donald Trump's latest comments on tariff levies on China and the potential agreement he anticipated between the two countries.

Guo said China has already pointed out that there are no winners in tariff wars and trade wars, there is no way out for protectionism, and "decoupling" and breaking production and supply chains will only isolate the US itself.

"With regard to the tariff war launched by the US, China's attitude is clear: we are not willing to fight and we are not afraid to fight," he said.

"To fight, we will fight to the end; to talk, the door is wide open," he added.

If the US genuinely wants to solve the problem through dialogue and negotiation, it should stop threatening and blackmailing, and engage in dialogue with China on the basis of equality, respect and mutual benefit, he said.

"Saying it wants to reach an agreement with the Chinese side while constantly exerting extreme pressure is not the right way to deal with the Chinese side, and it will not work," he added.

zhangyunbi@chinadaily.com.cn