BEIJING/WASHINGTON – China accused the United States of bullying and warnedit would hit back after the Trump administration raised the stakes in theirtrade dispute, threatening 10 percent tariffs on $200 billion of Chinesegoods.

China’s commerce ministry said on Wednesday it was “shocked” and wouldcomplain to the World Trade Organisation, but did not immediately say howit would retaliate. In a statement, it called the U.S. actions “completelyunacceptable”.

The foreign ministry described Washington’s threats as “typical bullying”and said China needed to counter-attack to protect its interests.

“This is a fight between unilateralism and multilateralism, protectionismand free trade, might and rules,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunyingtold a regular briefing on Wednesday.

Beijing has said it would hit back against Washington’s escalating tariffmeasures, including through “qualitative measures,” a threat that USbusinesses in China fear could mean anything from stepped-up inspections todelays in investment approvals and even consumer boycotts.

China could also limit visits to the United States by Chinese tourists, abusiness state media said is worth $115 billion, or shed some of its USTreasury holdings, Iris Pang, Greater China economist at ING in Hong Kong,wrote in a note.

The $200 billion far exceeds the total value of goods China imports fromthe United States, which means Beijing may need to think of creative waysto respond to such U.S. measures.

On Tuesday, U.S. officials issued a list of thousands of Chinese importsthe Trump administration wants to hit with the new tariffs, includinghundreds of food products as well as tobacco, chemicals, coal, steel andaluminum, prompting criticism from some U.S. industry groups.

It also includes consumer goods ranging from car tires, furniture, woodproducts, handbags and suitcases, to dog and cat food, baseball gloves,carpets, doors, bicycles, skis, golf bags, toilet paper and beauty products.

“For over a year, the Trump administration has patiently urged China tostop its unfair practices, open its market, and engage in true marketcompetition,” U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said inannouncing the proposed tariffs.

“Rather than address our legitimate concerns, China has begun to retaliateagainst U.S. products … There is no justification for such action,” he saidin a statement. – Agencies