China urges fair dialogue, not threats, to resolve tariff dispute with U.S.

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday urged the United States to give up its pressure, threats and blackmail tactics on the trade issue.

The White House on Tuesday released a statement reading that China now faces up to a 245-percent tariff on imports to the U.S. due to its "retaliatory actions." White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt also claimed that "the ball is in China's court" on the trade deal.

Responding to the U.S. comment on Wednesday, spokesperson Lin Jian reiterated China's solemn position. "Tariff and trade wars have no winners. China does not want to fight these wars but is not scared of them."

This tariff war was initiated by the U.S. side and the necessary countermeasures taken by the Chinese side are to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests and international fairness and justice, Lin pointed out.

If the U.S. side really wants to solve the problem through dialogue and negotiation, it should give up applying extreme pressure, stop threatening and blackmailing and engage in dialogue with the Chinese side on the basis of equality, respect and mutual benefit, the spokesperson added.