BEIJING (April 9): China does not want a trade war with the US but will be compelled to take the fight to the world's No 1 economy if President Donald Trump continues to ramp up trade tensions, its Commerce Ministry said on Wednesday.

"There are no winners in a trade war," the ministry said in a statement. "China does not want one, but the government will never allow the legitimate rights and interests of the Chinese people to be harmed or taken away."

The statement accompanied a white paper on US-China commercial ties released by the State Council Information Office, which engages with media on behalf of the government.

The document was issued after Trump's massive duties of 104% took effect on Chinese goods, a step Beijing has described as blackmail and vowed to fight.

"The United States is using tariffs as a tool to exert maximum pressure for selfish gains — this is classic unilateralism, protectionism and economic bullying," a ministry spokesperson added.

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