MOC: China has to fight trade war when it is necessary

China would like to avoid fighting a trade war, which was provoked by the U.S.. However, to safeguard the interests of the country and its people, China has to fight the war when it is necessary, said Gao Feng, spokesman for China’s Ministry of Commerce, on Thursday. 

Feng made the remarks at a press conference when asked if China will slap new tariffs on some U.S. goods after the U.S. implements tariffs on 34 billion U.S. dollars’ worth of Chinese imports on July 6. 

China won't fire the first shot in implementing tariffs on the U.S.. But if the U.S. implements the move, China will be forced to take countermeasures comprehensively, said Gao. 

China calls on all countries to take measures to oppose trade protectionism and support multilateralism, Gao added.