China 'not afraid' of trade war: official

By Tuba Sahin

ANKARA (AA) - Beijing will fight take "comprehensive countermeasures" if Washington continues with “unilateral and protectionist policies” on trade, a Chinese official said on Friday.

"On Sino-U.S. trade, China has made its position very clear. We do not want a trade war, but we are not afraid of such a war," Gao Feng, spokesman for Chinese Ministry of Commerce, was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency.

Gao's remarks came after President Donald Trump on Thursday ordered the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to consider imposing $100 billion in additional tariffs on Chinese products.

According to Xinhua, Gao said China is willing to pay any price to "protect the interest of the country and the people.”

"Concerning the U.S. statement, China will not only listen to the words but also watch the deeds", the spokesman added.

China will continue reforms and promote trade and investment liberalization, he said.