China's new UN ambassador says Beijing is ready to the fight US on trade, describing President Donald Trump's new tariffs as "an irrational, irresponsible act".
China has vowed to fight back against US President Donald Trump's abrupt decision to slap 10 per cent tariffs on the remaining $US300 billion ($A442 billion) in Chinese imports, a move that has ended a month-long trade truce.China's new ambassador to the United Nations, Zhang Jun, said Beijing would take "necessary countermeasures" to protect its rights and bluntly described Trump's move as "an irrational, irresponsible act"."China's position is very clear that if US wishes to talk, then we will talk, if they want to fight, then we will fight," Zhang told reporters in New York, also signalling that trade tensions could hurt cooperation between the countries on dealing with North Korea.Trump said on Friday China has to do a lot in order to turn things around in trade negotiations with the US and that he can increase tariffs on Chinese goods.Trump, speaking to reporters at the White House, said the US had to have a better trade deal with China, not just an even deal.Trump stunned financial markets on Thursday by saying he plans to levy the additional duties starting September 1, marking a sudden end to a truce in a year-long trade war between the world's two biggest economies that has slowed global growth and disrupted supply chains.Earlier on Friday, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said China was holding firm to its position in the 13-month tariff brawl with the US."We won't accept any maximum pressure, intimidation or blackmail," Hua told a news briefing in Beijing."On the major issues of principle we won't give an inch," she said, adding that China hoped the US would "give up its illusions" and return to negotiations based on mutual respect and equality.
