China 'won't surrender' to pressure in US trade war

China warned Monday that it will "never surrender to external pressure" after the United States ordered tariffs on almost all Chinese exports.

The latest round of trade negotiations ended Friday without a deal, with President Donald Trump increasing tariffs on USD 200 billion worth of Chinese goods to 25 per cent and ordering the start of a process to impose new duties on another USD 300 billion.

China vowed last week to hit back with the "necessary countermeasures", though it has yet to specify what they will look like.

"China will never surrender to external pressure," foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a regular briefing Monday.

"We are determined to have the ability to safeguard our legitimate rights and interests."
"We have said many times that imposing tariffs will not solve any problems," Geng said, adding that China hoped the United States will work with Beijing to reach a "mutually beneficial and win-win agreement."