China has warned other countries not to make trade deals with the United States that would harm China. This warning comes as tensions grow between the two largest economies in the world.

On Monday, China’s Commerce Ministry said that while China supports fair and equal discussions to solve trade problems, it will not accept any agreement that causes damage to China’s economy. The Ministry also said China will respond strongly if any country tries to make such a deal.

This response came after news that the Trump administration might pressure countries to cut back on trade with China in exchange for lower US tariffs.

A spokesperson from China’s Commerce Ministry said the US has used tariffs unfairly against many of its trade partners. The US has also tried to force countries into negotiations to agree on “equal” tariffs.

China said it is confident in protecting its own interests and wants to work closely with other countries to stay united.

Reports suggest the US is pushing countries to reduce trade with China to get tariff relief. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said around 50 countries have asked the US to ease the new tariffs announced by President Trump.

Some countries are already discussing changes. For example, Japan might increase how much soybeans and rice it buys from the US, and Indonesia is thinking about buying more US goods and fewer products from other countries.

Earlier this year, President Trump added new tariffs on many countries but kept the highest ones for China. He said China needed to face stronger penalties.

In response, China’s President Xi Jinping traveled to several Southeast Asian countries last week. He asked those countries to stand together and resist unfair pressure from bigger countries.

“There are no winners in trade wars,” President Xi said.