China is fully prepared to defend its interests in a trade war with the United States, but hopes that the United States will be able to solve problems through dialogue, rather than unilateral steps, the Chinese Commerce Department said on Thursday, May 9.

The Chinese delegation, led by Deputy Prime Minister Liu He, was supposed to hold negotiations in Washington on May 9 and 10 aimed at signing a trade agreement, which, apparently, will not take place due to accusations by US and Chinese officials of non-compliance commitments and a threat to President Donald Trump from Friday May 10 to raise tariffs on Chinese goods.

Speaking to reporters in Beijing, Gao Feng, a spokesman for the Commerce Department, said China has the determination and ability to stand up for its interests, but China hopes the US can meet.

“China’s attitude has been consistent, and China will not succumb to any pressure. China was preparing to respond to all possible consequences, ”Gao Feng, the official spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce, told reporters in Beijing.

The US Trade Representative’s Office said tariffs of $ 200 billion in Chinese goods would rise to 25 percent from 10 percent at 0:01 a.m. (04.01 GMT) on Friday.

On Sunday, Trump also threatened to levy duties on an additional $ 325 billion in Chinese goods, in excess of $ 250 billion in imports of Chinese products already taxed.