LOC07:44
04:44 GMT
BEIJING, April 21 (KUNA) -- China criticized on Monday the US forcing of trade partners to negotiate "reciprocal tariffs", expressing objection to sides trying to hold talks on the expense of their own interest.
A statement by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce reacted to news reports on US President Donald Trump's plans to exert more pressure on other countries to force them to negotiate the tariffs, waving them off on condition of minimizing trade with China.
China Central Television (CCTV) cited the statement by the ministry, saying that the US had abused tariffs against all of commercial and trade partners recently to force them to negotiate so-called reciprocal tariffs.
This is a bullying tactic, it pointed out, saying that such actions would not bring peace or respect and would only achieve temporary interest for one party over the others.
The ministry also expressed Beijing's respect of all efforts to resolve trade conflict with the US via holding talks based on fairness, justice and equal grounds.
China will not yield or sacrifice its interest to negotiate reciprocal tariffs, the statement affirmed. (end)
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