China has reaffirmed its commitment to balancing cooperation and competition in international trade following new U.S. tariff measures, with a Ministry of Commerce spokesperson stating the country will "stand firm if a fight is forced on us" while remaining open to dialogue.
Balancing Cooperation and Competition
During a Tuesday briefing, the spokesperson emphasized that China and the U.S. share "extensive common interests" across economic and technological sectors. "Cooperation benefits both, while confrontation hurts both sides," they noted, underscoring Beijing's preference for resolving disputes through negotiation.
Rare Earth Controls: Clarifying Misconceptions
The comments followed China's announcement of export control measures on rare earth minerals – critical components in electronics and renewable energy technologies. Officials clarified these measures refine existing regulations rather than impose bans, with licenses granted to "eligible applications" to maintain global supply chain stability.
"This is a legitimate action to improve our export control system in accordance with laws," the spokesperson said, addressing concerns about potential disruptions to manufacturing sectors worldwide.
