China ‘firmly opposes’ tariffs and ‘would fight to the end’

Nicholas Asfouri | AFP | Getty Images

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives for the closing session of the National People’s Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 20, 2018.

President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive memorandum that would impose tariffs on up to $60 billion in Chinese imports, following a “301 investigation” into potentially unfair Chinese trade practices with the U.S. A forthcoming report from the U.S. Trade Representative covers 1,300 product lines, administration officials said.

The Chinese embassy statement also urged the U.S. to “cease and desist” and “avoid placing China-U.S. trade relations in danger with the purpose of hurting others that eventually end up hurting itself.”

Trump earlier this month signed tariffs of 25 percent on steel imports and 10 percent on aluminum imports.

As he signed Thursday’s memo, Trump said, “This is the first of many” trade actions.