Curbing trade with China to curry favor with the United States would be “selfish and shortsighted,” the government said, promising to retaliate.

Beijing said while China respects countries resolving trade disputes with the US through equal and fair consultations, it will strongly oppose any deals made at China’s expense.

“China firmly opposes any party reaching a deal at the expense of China’s interests,” China’s 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.”