ISTANBUL

China on Thursday urged the US to resolve its trade differences with other countries in an “equal manner,” calling President Donald Trump’s announcement of new tariffs a step which undermines the rules-based multilateral trading system.

Beijing “will resolutely take countermeasures to safeguard its own interests,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told reporters in Beijing.

“There is no winner in a trade war, and protectionism leads nowhere. China urges the US to immediately correct its wrongdoing and resolve trade differences with other countries, including China, in an equal, respectful, and mutually beneficial manner,” he added.

Beijing was reacting to the US imposing "reciprocal tariffs" on its trade partners, including a 34% tariff on China, as announced by Trump Wednesday.

Guo said Trump’s move “seriously violated World Trade Organization rules and undermines the rules-based multilateral trading system.”