The White House has made an announcement to continue its sanctions on Chinese imports and investment. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce quickly reacted to Washington's recent moves. Our reporter, Wang Hui, explains the details.

US president Donald Trump signed a memorandum on March 22nd stating that Washington would impose tariffs of up to 25% on Chinese imports worth 50-billion US dollars. The White House released a statement on Tuesday, saying the list of covered imports will be released by mid-June, and the tariffs will be imposed shortly thereafter.

I raised a question on this matter at the press conference held by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce on Thursday, and asked if it indicated that the US was starting a trade war with China, and what specific measures Beijing would be taking.

GAO FENG, SPOKESMAN CHINESE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE "The White House's statement is unexpected, but also anticipated. We hope the trade cooperation between China and the US can benefit the peoples of the two countries, and we don't want to see trade frictions escalating. We have the confidence, capability and experience to guard the core interests of the Chinese people and the country."

The trade dispute between the two countries started in late March. The two countries had held two rounds of negotiations since then. After the second round of talks on May 17th and 18th, the two countries reached a joint statement. Beijing believed according to the statement, the two countries agreed to resolve the dispute through dialogue and cooperation, and would not start a trade war. But the White House released a statement on 29th, saying besides imposing high tariffs on Chinese imports, the US will also be announcing investment restrictions and enhanced export controls on Chinese persons and entities relating to the industrially significant technology by the end of this month. Beijing reacts to this decision.

GAO FENG, SPOKESMAN CHINESE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE "China believes Washington's decision is not consistent with the basic principles of the World Trade Organization. We will respect the spirit from the joint statement made earlier by the two sides. China will assess the impacts of the US's moves and reserve the right to take further actions."

WANG HUI BEIJING "The two countries announced last week that US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross will visit Beijing from June 2nd to 4th, but a spokesman didn't confirm if Ross will stick to the plan. The spokesman added that a 50 member US delegation arrived in Beijing on Wednesday. The two countries will discuss how to implement the goals of the joint statement reached in the second round of negotiations."