China says will hit back after US proposes fresh tariffs on $200 billion on goods

China has accused the US of bullying and warned it would hit back after the Trump administration raised the stakes in their trade dispute, threatening 10% tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese goods.


China's commerce ministry said it was "shocked" and would complain to the World Trade Organisation, but did not immediately say how it would retaliate.

In a statement, it called the US actions "completely unacceptable".

The foreign ministry described Washington's threats as "typical bullying" and said China needed to counter-attack to protect its interests.

"This is a fight between unilateralism and multilateralism, protectionism and free trade, might and rules," foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a regular briefing today.

Beijing has said it would hit back against Washington's escalating tariff measures, including through "qualitative measures".

This is a threat that US businesses in China fear could mean anything from stepped-up inspections to delays in investment approvals and even consumer boycotts.
  (rte)
 11/7/18
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• China 'shocked' by US actions in trade dispute