China on Wednesday hit back at the White House, saying it is “reckless” to renew tariff threats.
“We urge the United States to keep its promise, and meet China halfway in the spirit of the joint statement,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters, according to Reuters.
Hua added that Beijing would use “resolute and forceful” means if the U.S. continued to act in an “arbitrary and reckless manner.”
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The comments come after the White House on Tuesday announced it would move forward with a 25 percent tariff on $50 billion in Chinese technology imports in a move to protect U.S. domestic technology and intellectual property from theft. The U.S. will also implement limits on investment in U.S. high-technology sectors.
A spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Commerce on Tuesday responded, saying that officials were “surprised by the strategic statement released by the White House, but, at the same time, it is somewhat expected.”
The move appears to be an extension of President Trump’s decision in March to take several major steps against China to protect U.S. domestic technology and intellectual property.
Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping said earlier this month that the two countries would work to settle the trade fight and that China “will significantly increase purchases of United States goods and services.”
The recent announcement from the White House also appears to be in conflict with remarks by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who said last week that “we are putting the trade war on hold. Right now, we have agreed to put the tariffs on hold while we try to execute the framework.”
The raising of tariff tensions comes ahead of Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross’s scheduled visit to China this weekend for trade negotiations.