Issuing constant threats through the media and wielding the big stick of sanctions will never help, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said at a routine news briefing on Nov 29 when asked for comment on US threatened tariffs on Chinese automobiles, according to the ministry website.

Responding to accusations by US Trade Representative who said that China's aggressive and state-directed industrial policies were harming US workers and manufacturers, Geng cited an example that "since July 1, China has cut its vehicle import tariffs from 25 percent to 15 percent. But due to the trade disputes provoked by the US, starting from July 6, China imposed an additional 25 percent on top of the 15 percent rate for most of the automobiles imported from the US on China's list for tariff increases, thus pushing the total rate to 40 percent."

"That is to say, were it not for the trade disputes and the tariff impositions initiated by the US, the tariff rate for automobiles China imported from the US would have been 15 percent," Geng stated. "The most pressing issue is that the two sides need to resolve trade disputes and existing issues through dialogue and negotiation."