BEIJING: China's government has defended itself as a supporter of free trade after US President-elect Donald Trump's pick for commerce secretary criticised its tactics.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying on Thursday pointed to President Xi Jinping's appeal to avoid protectionism in a speech this week at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland. Hua said it was clear who was "sincerely pushing ahead" to liberalise trade.
During a confirmation hearing Wednesday, Trump's nominee, Wilbur Ross, criticised China for excess steel and aluminium production and said he would look closely at potential anti-dumping cases.
Trump, who takes office Friday, promised during his campaign to respond to what he called unfair Beijing trade tactics by raising tariffs on Chinese goods and possibly imposing other penalties.