CHINA warned today that “appeasement” of the United States over President Donald Trump trade bullying cannot bring peace.

Governments, including those of Japan, South Korea and the breakaway Chinese province of Taiwan, have begun negotiations with Washington over the sweeping trade tariffs announced on April 2. 

The import taxes on most countries’ goods were quickly paused for 90 days after financial markets panicked.

China is the only country to be excluded from the pause. Instead, it is being hit with tariffs of up to 245 per cent on its exports to the US.

Beijing hit back with tariffs of 125 per cent on goods from US.

“China firmly opposes any party reaching a deal at the expense of China’s interests,” the Commerce Ministry said in a statement. 

“If this happens, China will never accept it and will resolutely take countermeasures in a reciprocal manner. China is determined and capable of safeguarding its own rights and interests.”

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said earlier this month that the countries currently negotiating trade deals with the US should “approach China as a group” together with Washington.

The US tariffs against other countries are economic bullying, the Chinese ministry said in today's statement.

“Appeasement cannot bring peace and compromise cannot win respect,” it added. 

“For one’s own temporary selfish interests, sacrificing the interests of others in exchange for so-called exemptions is like seeking the skin from a tiger. It will ultimately only fail on both ends and harm others without benefiting themselves.”

China has made it clear on a number occasions that it is open to talks with Washington, but no meetings have been announced.

President Trump hinted last week that some talks on the tariffs had taken place between the US and China and that he was confident that a deal would be reached within weeks.