China will respond to US tariffs, resist protectionism — Beijing’s WTO envoy

Geneva: China is preparing a range of responses to US President Donald Trump’s planned tariffs and will stand up to protectionism but it still hopes for dialogue, Beijing’s ambassador to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) said on Thursday.

Ambassador Zhang Xiangchen said China was considering a WTO complaint against the package of tariffs that Trump is expected to announce later on Thursday, but that was only one option.

“This is a legitimate right for China to do that. But I would not exclude other options, because if the flood approaches you have to bank up to keep it out,” he told Reuters.

“Appeasement of protectionism will not work. If you surrender to protectionism you will lose your credibility and leadership in this organisation.”