China warns of retaliation over US robot ban

BEIJING — China said it would "resolutely retaliate" and protect its interests if the United States continues with unilateral measures over an import ban on new Chinese robots and power inverters, the commerce ministry said on Thursday.

The ministry urged the United States to immediately withdraw the measures and stop what it called "erroneous actions," saying the restrictions discriminate against and suppress Chinese companies and products.

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced the measures on Tuesday, citing efforts to protect the country's artificial intelligence (AI) development from national security risks and bring key industries back to the United States.

China said the FCC ignored its repeated concerns and continued to expand restrictive measures.

The ministry accused the U.S. of broadening the definition of national security, calling the move "market distortion and unilateral bullying behavior" that harms the interests of both Chinese and American industries.

-Reporting by Liz Lee and Shanghai newsroom; Editing by Jacqueline Wong and Saad Sayeed/Reuters