A China-US trade war will hurt everyone

China hopes to address the trade dispute with the United States through dialogue and consultation. But if the US insists on starting a trade war, China is ready to take any necessary measures to defend its legitimate interests.

Sino-US economic ties entered a difficult period after US President Donald Trump signed a presidential memorandum on March 22 that could impose tariffs on up to $60 billion of imports from China, despite warnings from US business groups and trade experts not to do so.

Last week, the Office of the US Trade Representative published a report on an investigation under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 that could lead to an additional 25 percent tariff on listed imports from China worth about $50 billion in annual trade value. Later, Trump suggested an additional list of imports from China, worth about $100 billion, be subjected to 25 percent tariff hikes under Section 301.