China warns of retaliation if US ‘obstinately clings to its course’ on tariffs

China’s foreign ministry on Monday said the country will continue to respond if the United States imposes any further tariffs, Reuters reported.

“If the U.S. side obstinately clings to its course and takes any new tariff measures against China, then the Chinese side will inevitably take countermeasures to resolutely protect our legitimate rights,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a briefing.

{mosads}The comments come after President Trump said Friday that he is prepared to slap $267 billion in tariffs on Chinese products in addition to the $200 billion he has already promised.

Imposing the $200 billion worth of tariffs “will take place very soon depending on what happens,” Trump told reporters Friday on Air Force One.

“I hate to do this, but behind that there is another $267 billion ready to go on short notice if I want,” he added.

If Trump follows through on his word, tariffs would cover $467 billion in Chinese imports on top of the $50 billion already in place. The total of $517 billion would cover the entire value of products the world’s second-largest economy imports to the U.S.

The White House has said that no final decision has been made yet on the tariffs.