Carlos Barria/Reuters
China’s Ministry of Commerce claimed the “unilateral” trade war the U.S. started will drag “the world economy into danger” in a statement released Thursday. “When the US willfully exits from groups based on its own interests under the pretext of ‘American First,’ it becomes an enemy to all,” the statement read. “Such US practices will drag the world economy into the ‘cold war trap,’ ‘recession trap,’ ‘anti-contract trap’ and ‘the trap of uncertainty[.]’’’ The Ministry of Commerce also accused the United States of “slander,” and said President Trump’s claims that China was gaining an “extra advantage” through unfair trade practice are “groundless.” Politico reports that the statement was a response to Trump announcing potential tariffs on up to $200 billion in Chinese imports.