Beijing ‘fully prepared’ if trade war kicks off this week

Workers carry boxes of LED lights into a renovation site in Beijing

China said yesterday it’s “fully prepared” for a trade war with the United States as hopes dwindle for a breakthrough in tensions this week between the world’s two biggest economies.

Washington is due to start charging tariffs on USD34 billion in Chinese imports as of Friday while Beijing has pledged to retaliate with equal tariffs on $34 billion in U.S. goods.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang told reporters that China is “fully prepared to take a package of necessary measures” to safeguard its national interests.

U.S. companies ranging from soybean farms to whiskey distilleries to automakers like Ford and Tesla could suffer if China ramps up retaliatory measures. China’s list is designed to inflict pain on U.S. farmers and other groups that are important to President Donald Trump’s political base.

Trade friction also threatens to ensnare major Chinese companies, with China Mobile the latest to encounter obstacles in the U.S. market. A U.S. agency under the Department of Commerce recommended Monday against giving operating licenses to China’s largest telecom carrier, citing national security risks posed by the state-run firm.

Lu yesterday called the warnings “unfounded speculation and an irrational clampdown” stemming from a Cold War mentality.

“We hope the US will provide a level-playing field for Chinese companies’ investment and operation in the US and do something conducive to the mutual trust,” he said.

China’s stock market has fallen nearly 10 percent in recent weeks on fears of a trade war while its currency has dropped sharply against the U.S. dollar.

In comments yesterday, central bank governor Yi Gang said the yuan’s 3 percent depreciation over the past two weeks reflects a strengthening of the U.S. dollar and “the effect of external uncertainties.” The yuan, whose exchange rate is tightly controlled, is at its lowest level against the dollar since December.

Despite that, Yi said financial risks were under control. “The fundamentals of the Chinese economy at present are good,” he said.

“Our country implements a floating exchange system consulting a basket of currencies and based on market supply and demand,” Yi said. “Years of practice have shown this system to be effective and must continue to be adhered to.”

Responding to questions over a safety warning to Chinese citizens traveling to the United States issued by the government late last week, Lu, the foreign ministry spokesman, said the government was merely fulfilling its duty to warn travelers of “potential dangers.”

The warning to Chinese travelers noted the high cost of medical treatment in the U.S., the importance of guarding against crime and terrorist attacks and the considerable powers wielded by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

Trump has accused China of unfairly acquiring U.S. technology through coercion and theft and limiting market access for U.S. finance and technology firms — claims that China denies.

China accuses Washington of protectionism, pointing to the struggles of Chinese companies like China Mobile and telecoms equipment maker ZTE, which briefly shut down in April after the Department of Commerce temporarily banned it from purchasing U.S. chips. Gerry Shih, Beijing, AP