China-US Trade War: Beijing opposes trade war but not afraid of it

World
Europe

02:27

President Trump has repeated his claim that China is suffering in the trade war with the United States. Meanwhile, the Chinese Commerce Ministry says it is ready to fight the trade war to the end, if necessary. CGTN's White House Correspondent Nathan King reports.

Three weeks since the 11th round of trade negotiations here in Washington failed to achieve a breakthrough, there are few signs of the talks getting back on track.

The US labelling Huawei a security threat has threatened the global leader in 5G and No. 2 smartphone maker's global supply chain and China is signaling it may limit exports of rare earth minerals and is reportedly slowing purchases of soybeans again. And then there is the rhetoric.

DONALD TRUMP US PRESIDENT "I think we're doing very well with China, we'll see what happens. But I can tell you China very much wants to make a deal because the companies are leaving China."

Comparing US policy on Iran to the trade war with China reveals perhaps Washington's approach here- Beijing certainly sees it as economic warfare. China's Vice Foreign Minister is pulling no punches.

ZHANG HANHUI CHINESE VICE FOREIGN MINISTER "We oppose a trade war, but are not afraid of a trade war. This kind of deliberately provoking trade disputes is naked economic terrorism, economic bullying."

The Chinese commerce ministry also said that if the US continues to escalate friction, China would quote "accompany it to the end".

But Chinese and US journalists are speaking. In a rare, widely watched debate, reported around the world - CGTN anchor Liu Xin talked to Fox News host Trish Regan in a prime time debate about the trade war. Xin said she hoped to open some eyes.

LIU XIN CGTN ANCHOR "I just want the American people to give us the benefit of the doubt, to take a moment to hear us, to think about what we really want to say, and then I also want to remind to help my compatriots, the Chinese people to understand that we don't, we shouldn't heat up the discussion, we should cool down."

NATHAN KING WASHINGTON "The debate about the debate went viral on Chinese and US social media- most seeing the dialogue as a real positive step- some even jokingly suggesting Liu Xin and Trish Regan negotiate the trade talks. Nathan King, CGTN at the White House."