SHANGHAI, Mar 9 (SMM) – China warned that it will take a strong stance to protect its interests against US President Donald Trump's tariffs on steel and aluminium imports.

China's commerce ministry spoke against the tariffs on Friday March 9. Director of the ministry's trade remedy and investigation bureau, Wang Hejun, said that the tariffs will jeopardise multilateral trade in the World Trade Organization (WTO) and that they will "bring a serious impact on normal international order".

“If the US measures impair the interests, China will join efforts with other affected countries to safeguard its own benefits," he added.

The China Iron and Steel Association (CISA) and the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association also opposed the heavy tariffs and appealed to the Chinese government to take countermeasures on imports of US products including stainless steel, galvanised sheets, seamless pipes, coal,electronics and agricultural products.

On Thursday March 8, Trump signed orders to impose  sweeping tariffs of 25% and 10% on imports of steel and aluminium imports, respectively. Canada and Mexico are exempted from the new tariffs.

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