Spokesman for China's ministry of commerce Gao Feng has responded to the matter.

GAO FENG, SPOKESMAN SPOKESPERSON, CHINESE COMMERCE MINISTRY: 

Firstly, we believe that the US' measures are completely unjustified. The US has severely misjudged the situation and taken wrong actions, the result of which will be lifting the rock only to smash their own feet. If the US release the products list for the 100 billion additional tariffs, we are fully prepared to fight back in a decisive manner.

Secondly, we believe this to be a fight between unilateralism and multilateralism, and between protectionism and free trade. If multilateralism and free trade are jeopardized, and the progress of economic globalization hindered, the world economic recovery will suffer, which is neither in China's core interest nor the interest of the whole world. Faced with such major threats, we have to resolutely fight back.

Thirdly, we noticed that multiple US officials expressed similar opinions, but it is completely untrue. Financial officials from both sides have not been conducting any talks on the economy nor trade issues for some time. After the US released its decisions concerning Section 301 and suggested product list, China replied in a resolute manner. We responded in an even more resolute manner when the additional tariffs and suggested list were announced. Under this circumstance, it is impossible to conduct any negotiations on this issue.

Fourthly, we have resorted to bottom-line thinking, prepared for any escalated measures taken on the part of the US and made specific counter-measures. Our way of doing things has always been this: we will never seek any confrontations, but if confrontations come our way, we will resolutely fight back. We are serious about this issue and we will act on what we say.