Mao Ning profile photo Photo: official website of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Responding to media inquiries about whether China will take actions or retaliate against the US' imposition of a 25 percent tariff on steel and aluminum imports, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning stated on a regular press conference on Wednesday that China has always believed that protectionism leads nowhere, and there is no winner in a trade war or a tariff war. It is a universal consensus of the international community. 

The White House confirmed on Tuesday that a 25 percent tariff on steel and aluminum imports would take effect at midnight Wednesday, with no exemptions. This unilateral move has drawn immediate backlash from various nations and added uncertainty to financial markets. 

The US approach severely violates the WTO rules, harms the rules-based multilateral trading system, and dose no good to solving problems. China will also take all necessary measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests, Mao noted.

Global Times