China opposes US plan to impose additional tariffs: commerce ministry

BEIJING - China's Ministry of Commerce on Thursday voiced firm opposition to the US government's consideration of an additional 7.5 percent tariff on Chinese imports, calling the move a typical act of unilateralism and protectionism that politicizes trade issues.

Noting that the United States has launched a Section 301 investigation into 16 economies, including China, under the pretext of "overcapacity," ministry spokeswoman Huang Ling said at a routine news conference that China will continue to closely follow and comprehensively assess any subsequent US actions, and reserves the right to take all necessary measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.