US push on tariffs condemned

Beijing said on Monday it will take all necessary measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests in response to Washington's move to push tariffs on China over Russian oil imports.

The remarks were made after the United States pressured the G7 and NATO countries to impose additional tariffs on China for its purchase of Russian oil. The move is also aimed at exerting pressure on Beijing to play a role in ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

China firmly opposes any party "making issues out of China and imposing illegal unilateral sanctions or exercising long-arm jurisdiction", Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a regular news briefing.

He emphasized that China's normal economic, trade and energy cooperation with all countries, including Russia, is justified, legitimate and beyond reproach.

Lin described the US' actions as "typical unilateral bullying and economic coercion", seriously undermining international trade rules and threatening the safety and stability of global industrial and supply chains.

"Facts have proved that coercion and pressure win no support and cannot solve problems," Lin said. "If China's legitimate rights and interests are harmed, China will take resolute countermeasures, firmly safeguarding its sovereignty, security and development interests."

On the Ukraine crisis, Lin noted that China's position has been consistent and clear, and that dialogue and negotiation are the only viable ways to resolve the conflict. "Since the first day of the crisis, China has maintained an objective and impartial stance, consistently promoting peace talks," he added.

In a related development, a spokesperson from the Ministry of Commerce also expressed opposition to economic and trade restrictions being imposed on China under the pretext of so-called Russia-related issues.

The US attempt to pressure relevant parties into imposing so-called secondary tariffs on China over Russian oil imports has seriously violated the consensus reached between the two heads of state over the phone and it could have severe impacts on global trade, said the spokesperson.

The spokesperson expressed the hope that the US will exercise caution in its words and actions, meet China halfway, and continue to properly resolve economic and trade differences through equal dialogue and consultation.

At the same time, the spokesperson also called on all parties to adhere to principles and work with China to jointly safeguard the international trade order and the security and stability of global industrial and supply chains.