Chinese officials have pledged that the country will, as on previous occasions, retaliate to any further protectionist measures used by the United States, as global markets ready themselves for tariffs on another $200 billion of Chinese goods.
Chinese commerce ministry spokesman Gao Feng told reporters that “if the United States, regardless of opposition, adopts any new tariff measures, China will be forced to roll out necessary retaliatory measures.”
The Chinese government will offer support to Chinese firms whose business is damaged by the tariffs, Gao added.
The latest package, which could be signed in as early as Friday following the expiration of a public comment period, will be a sharp escalation from the current $50 billion of goods both countries have subjected to tariffs. Until now, Beijing has retaliated with reciprocal tariffs.
As Reuters notes, this round will have a larger focus on consumer goods, with furniture, lighting products, bicycles, and infant car seats included on the list.