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China: No Deals Bad for Beijing        04/21 06:09

   China on Monday warned other countries against making trade deals with the 
United States to China's detriment.

   BEIJING (AP) -- China on Monday warned other countries against making trade 
deals with the United States to China's detriment.

   Governments including those of Taiwan, Japan and South Korea have begun 
negotiations with Washington after President Donald Trump announced sweeping 
tariffs against almost all of America's trading partners on April 2. The import 
taxes were quickly paused against most countries after markets panicked, but he 
increased his already steep tariffs against China.

   "China firmly opposes any party reaching a deal at the expense of China's 
interests," China's Commerce Ministry said in a statement. "If this happens, 
China will never accept it and will resolutely take countermeasures in a 
reciprocal manner. China is determined and capable of safeguarding its own 
rights and interests."

   U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said earlier this month the countries 
currently negotiating trade deals with the U.S. should "approach China as a 
group" together with Washington.

   The U.S. tariffs against other countries are economic bullying, the ministry 
said in the statement attributed to an unnamed spokesperson.

   "Appeasement cannot bring peace, and compromise cannot win respect," it 
added. "For one's own temporary selfish interests, sacrificing the interests of 
others in exchange for so-called exemptions is like seeking the skin from a 
tiger. It will ultimately only fail on both ends and harm others without 
benefiting themselves."

   China said it's open to talks with Washington but no meetings have been 
announced.

   Trump made China the target of his steepest tariffs, imposing several rounds 
of tariffs totaling 145% duties on Chinese imports. Beijing has retaliated with 
tariffs of 125% on U.S. imports.

   The tariffs have spooked exporters and stalled shipments, while threatening 
to drag on the global economy.