MNI: China Retaliates With Tariffs But Does Not Want Trade War

     BEIJING (MNI) - Following the imposition of US tariffs on $34 billion worth

of Chinese imports on Friday morning, China immediately responded with levies on

an equivalent value of US goods, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA)

confirmed Friday.

     "When our legitimate interests are unfairly treated, without question we

will fight back," Lu Kang, MFA spokesman, said at a press briefing in Beijing.

     China hoped that trade conflicts with the U.S. would not escalate into an

all-out trade war -- which would benefit no one -- Lu stressed. Bullying and

threatening will lead nowhere, he added.

     While criticising the U.S. action for being "unilateral" and "unfair," Lu

said that the two countries have been in communication regarding various issues

of mutual interest. However, he did not directly respond to a reporter's enquiry

as to when Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump last

spoke to each other.

     "China's position regarding trade is clear and consistent," Lu asserted.

"U.S. officials have been aware of our position."

     "We hope the other party have an objective understanding of globalization

and the issues arising from globalization," Lu added. "We hope the related

issues will be resolved reasonably and properly."

--MNI Beijing Bureau; +86 (10) 8532-5998; email: iris.ouyang@marketnews.com

--MNI London Bureau; +44 207-862-7489; email: ukeditorial@marketnews.com

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