Beijing claims it does not want a trade war with Washington but is ready to face it

On Sunday, China asserted that it does not wish for a trade war with the United States, while emphasizing that it is "not afraid" of such a conflict. This statement comes in response to a series of new trade restrictions announced by Washington. In a statement, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce condemned what it described as "unilateral" and "discriminatory" practices by the United States. The ministry argued that tariff threats "do not represent the right path to maintain constructive relations with China." Furthermore, the ministry accused Washington of "abusing the concept of national security" to justify measures targeting specific Chinese sectors and companies. The ministry also defended recent export control measures on rare earths and other strategic products, labeling them as "normal and legal actions" aimed at refining the national export regulation system.