MNI: China "Will Be Forced to Retaliate": MOFCOM

By Iris Ouyang

     BEIJING (MNI) - China will not initiate any tariff action before the USD34

billion tariff package is implemented this Friday, but China will be forced to

retaliate once the tariffs are enforced, China Ministry of Commerce said

Thursday.

     "The U.S. behavior of waving the 'tariff stick' and threatening has

reversed the current trends of global development," said Gao Feng, spokesman of

the ministry, at a press briefing. "China will not bow under threats and

blackmail, nor will we stop defending global free trade."

     Gao iterated that China is not willing to engage in a trade war, but that

it has to take counter measures to defend the interests of the Chinese people

and the country.

     While accusing the U.S. of going against the interests of the world and of

American companies, especially these operating in China, Gao said China calls

for action from all countries to fight against protectionism and unilateralism.

     U.S. tariff actions "are not just firing at the world, but at U.S. itself,"

stressed Gao, referring to potential damages in global supply and value chains.

     China will be forced to retaliate, he said, adding that China will focus on

seeking high-quality export growth and improving export structures.

--MNI Beijing Bureau; +86-10-8532-5998; email: beijing@marketnews.com

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

[TOPICS: M$A$$$,M$Q$$$,MC$$$$,MI$$$$]