China vows to hit back as US trade sanctions loom
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President Donald Trump is poised to unveil sanctions against China today for the “theft” of US intellectual property, fuelling fears of a trade war as Beijing vowed to retaliate.
White House spokesman Raj Shah said that Trump will announce actions following an “investigation into China’s state-led, market-distorting efforts to force, pressure, and steal US technologies and intellectual property”.
According to his schedule, released by the White House on Wednesday evening, he will sign “a Presidential Memorandum targeting China’s economic aggression”.
The Chinese commerce ministry issued a pre-emptive warning, saying in a statement today that Beijing “will certainly take all necessary measures to resolutely defend its legitimate rights and interests”.
China today blamed US export restrictions for its record trade surplus with the US, but expressed hope that a solution can be found to settle trade issues between the world’s two biggest economies.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said it was unfair to throw around criticism about unfair trade if the US won’t sell to China what it wants to buy, referring to US export controls on some high-tech products.
“How many soybeans should China buy that are equal to one Boeing aircraft? Or, if China buys a certain number of Boeing aircraft should the US buy an equal number of C919s?” Hua said, mentioning China’s new self-developed passenger jet.
However, China still hopes it can hold constructive talks with the US in a spirit of mutual respect to seek a win-win solution, she added.
Questions & Answers
Q.What is the reason given by the US for imposing sanctions on China?
What is the reason given by the US for imposing sanctions on China?
The US President is set to announce actions following an investigation into China's state-led efforts to force, pressure, and steal US technologies and intellectual property. This is referred to as targeting China's economic aggression.
Q.How has China responded to the looming US sanctions?
How has China responded to the looming US sanctions?
China's commerce ministry issued a warning, stating Beijing will certainly take all necessary measures to resolutely defend its legitimate rights and interests. They also expressed hope for constructive talks to find a win-win solution.
Q.What specific US export restrictions does China highlight as unfair?
What specific US export restrictions does China highlight as unfair?
China's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman mentioned US export controls on some high-tech products. She implied it was unfair to criticise trade imbalances when the US restricts what China wants to buy.
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