China hits back at Pompeo; accuses US of blackmail tactics

China today accused the Trump administration of igniting a full-blown trade war with "blackmailing" tactics to impose punitive tariffs on USD 200 billion of Chinese goods as it rebutted the US allegations of following "predatory economic" policies against the rest of the world.

In his most scathing comments yet against China, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo yesterday accused Beijing of following predatory economic policies against the rest of the world.

"This is predatory economics 101, and many other countries have recognized this. President (Donald) Trump is now working to re-shift this balance," Pompeo was quoted as saying.

"Chinese leaders over these past few weeks have been claiming openness and globalization, but it's a joke. Let's be clear. It's the most predatory economic government that operates against the rest of the world today. This is a problem that's long overdue in being tackled," Pompeo said in Detroit.

Miffed by Pompeo's comments, China today hit back saying that the US is making allegations to cover up its unilateral protectionist policies.

"I have to point out that US remarks confused right with wrong and made irresponsible accusations against China to cover up its unilateral and protectionist moves," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told a media briefing here today when asked for his reaction to Pompeo's comments.

"Recently, in disregard of our consensus, the US demonstrated another flip flop to ignite a trade war. The US lost credibility with the people of the world and harms the interest to the two peoples, the interests of the two countries," he said.

Asked whether the trade war has begun, Geng said, "China will not ignite a trade war, yet we are not afraid of it. If someone incites a trade war, we will firmly safeguard our legitimate interests."