China has warned that it is “not afraid” to fight a trade war with the United States, reiterating calls for dialogue after US President Donald Trump said Beijing must take the initiative to come to the negotiating table.

“If the US really wants to resolve the issue through dialogue and negotiation, it should stop exerting extreme pressure, stop threatening and blackmailing, and talk to China on the basis of equality, respect and mutual benefit,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said on Wednesday.

“China’s position has been very clear. There is no winner in a tariff war or a trade war,” he said, adding that “China does not want to fight, but it is not afraid to fight.”

The Trump administration has imposed sweeping new tariffs on both allies and rivals, but its toughest measures have targeted China, hitting many Chinese imports with 145% duties. Beijing has countered with its own 125% tariffs on American goods, escalating the trade conflict.

Trump first introduced tariffs targeting Chinese imports, citing Beijing’s purported involvement in the fentanyl trade. The administration has since dramatically increased these duties – now reaching 145% on numerous Chinese goods over trade practices that Washington deems unfair.

On Tuesday, the US president said, “The ball is in China’s court. China needs to make a deal with us.” Beijing responded Wednesday by saying it was “the US that initiated this tariff war.”

Earlier in the week, Chinese President Xi Jinping warned that there would be “no winners” in a trade war, adding that “protectionism will lead nowhere.” 

China has also expressed its determination to “fight until the end” if the United States continues to intensify the trade conflict, calling on the European Union to join Beijing in opposing the United States’ “bullying” practices.

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