'National security' no reason for tariff hike

China on Thursday reiterated opposition to generalizing national security to impose tariffs after the United States President Donald Trump's announcement on Wednesday to impose 50 percent tariffs on imported copper, citing national security concerns.

Noting China's position on this issue is unequivocal, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a news briefing that China has always opposed overstretching national security concepts.

She emphasized that trade wars and indiscriminate tariff impositions serve no party's interests.