China-US Trade Tensions: MOFCOM: China ready to defend enterprises' interest

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02:03

China's Ministry of Commerce says the country is ready to fight for the interests of Chinese enterprises. This was in response to recent US actions against Chinese telecommunication giants ZTE and Huawei. The ministry on Thursday warned the Trump administration not to underestimate China's resolve.

GAO FENG SPOKESPERSON, MINISTRY OF COMMERCE "We will take all necessary measures to fight for the interests of Chinese enterprises. We'll be keeping very close tabs on this. We have the resolve and means to deal with it."

Gao said so in response to the recent slew of US actions aimed at Chinese telecommunication giants. These range from a 7-year components embargo on ZTE, to the Federal Communications Commission's vote to restrict telecommunications suppliers that pose a threat to national security targeting ZTE again along with Huawai.

GAO FENG SPOKESPERSON, MINISTRY OF COMMERCE "The US should not underestimate China's resolve to safeguard the country, and its companies' interest. We will stick it out and fight to the end."

China has put in place anti-dumping measures on US sorghum, to take effect from Wednesday. Gao said this is a SEPARATE move not in retaliation to escalating trade tensions and suggested it will not rattle the domestic market.

China also requested consultation with the US under the WTO framework earlier this month. While the US is reported to be willing to negotiate. Gao cautioned that it doesn't mean Washington is softening.

GAO FENG SPOKESPERSON, MINISTRY OF COMMERCE "The US response is only procedural. We suggest no over-interpretation of this act. US has acted in total denial of multilateralism and against WTO rules recently."

So far, the two sides have not started any formal negotiations over trade issues. Sun Ye, CGTN, BEIJING.