China won’t set a time limit for reaching a trade deal with US, foreign ministry says

Beijing will meet ‘unilateralism, protectionism and trade bullying’ with ‘resolute and decisive measures to protect [its] interests’, spokeswoman says

‘Trade negotiations should be conducted in an equal and mutually respectful way,’ she says

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China’s foreign ministry says Beijing will respond if the US imposes fresh duties on its goods on December 15. Photo: AP

Published: 7:02pm, 4 Dec 2019Updated: 11:10pm, 4 Dec 2019

China does not have a deadline for reaching a trade deal with the United States but will not be rushed or bullied on the issue, Beijing said on Wednesday.

“The trade negotiations should be conducted in an equal and mutually respectful way, and the deal must be mutually beneficial,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a regular press briefing.

While a tariff war did nothing for the interests of China or the US, Beijing would respond if Washington imposed fresh duties on its goods, she said.

“When faced with unilateralism, protectionism and trade bullying, we have no other choice but to respond with resolute and decisive measures to protect China’s righteous and legal interests. So we won’t set a time limit for the trade deal.”

Hua’s remarks came after US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that it was possible an agreement might not be reached until after the US presidential elections in November 2020, despite him saying in October that a “phase one” deal was almost complete.