A senior Chinese diplomat said Beijing wanted to avoid a trade war with the US and sought to present China as a defender of the global trading system, just a day after Donald Trump threatened Europe with additional sanctions beyond last week’s punitive taxes on imported steel and aluminium.
“There are more common interests [between China and the US] than differences so co-operation is the only option for both countries,” said Zhang Yesui, vice-foreign minister, yesterday ahead of the annual session of China’s rubber-stamp parliament. “China does not want a trade war with the US.”
Mr Zhang, a former envoy to the US, added: “Through its development, China has created many opportunities for the global economy and made a great contribution to international trade.”