China slams US trade call, ready to 'fight back'

China has lashed out at Washington’s unexpected statement that it will press ahead with tariffs and restrictions on investments by Chinese companies, Reuters reported on Wednesday.

Beijing said it was ready to fight back if Washington was looking to ignite a trade war.

The United States on Tuesday said it still held the threat of imposing tariffs on $50 billion of imports from China and would use it unless Beijing addressed the issue of theft of American intellectual property.

The announcement came after the two sides agreed earlier this month to look at steps to narrow China’s $375 billion trade surplus with America, and days ahead of a visit to Beijing by US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross for further negotiations from June 2 to June 4.

Meanwhile, China's state news agency Xinhua said China hoped that the United States would not act impulsively but stood ready to fight to protect its own interests.