On Friday, China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, stated that Beijing would firmly retaliate against the United States if it escalated the trade war by imposing more tariffs. This was in spite of China’s economic challenges.

Mr. Wang’s comments were made a day after President Trump suspended tariffs for goods coming from Mexico and Canada but did not do the same for items coming from China.

“If you choose to cooperate, you will achieve mutual benefit and win-win results; if you blindly exert pressure, China will definitely, resolutely counter,” the Chinese foreign minister said at a news briefing on the sidelines of China’s annual legislative session in Beijing.

Mr. Wang emphasized that the United States should “look within” for solutions to its own problems, such as the fentanyl crisis, and not blame countries like China. He also accused the Trump administration of being insincere towards China.

Mr. Wang stated that no country can suppress and contain China while also developing good relations with the nation. He criticized this “two-faced” approach as detrimental to bilateral relations and unable to build mutual trust.

His news conference aimed to boost confidence in China’s prospects and attract more foreign investment that had been driven away in recent years due to the country’s weak growth, heavy-handed response to the Covid pandemic, and stricter national security laws.

His remarks came after Li Qiang, China’s premier, attempted to project confidence in the country’s economy by setting an ambitious growth target despite a domestic-property crisis and an escalating trade war with the United States.

Chinese diplomats had also used firmer rhetoric in responding to Mr. Trump’s tariffs earlier in the week. They stated that if the U.S. insisted on a tariff or trade war, China would fight to the end.

Beijing is unsure of Mr. Trump’s intentions and is waiting to see if his tariffs are a bargaining tactic that could lead to trade talks. Mr. Trump had previously stated that a trade agreement with China is possible.

President Xi has held firm against the United States, refusing to engage with Mr. Trump like the leaders of Canada and Mexico did when faced with U.S. tariffs. Instead, China has responded to U.S. tariffs with retaliatory trade measures.

Despite China’s economic challenges, the government has urged the United States to engage in talks as equals. China’s commerce minister, Wang Wentao, has written to the U.S. commerce secretary, Howard Lutnick, and the U.S. trade representative, Jamieson Greer, inviting them to meet.