Chinese minister: Trade war with US won’t help either side

China’s commerce minister on Saturday warned that a trade war between his nation and the U.S. would do nothing to help either superpower.

“A trade war would not benefit either country or either country’s people, you could say it would have no advantage whatsoever,” Zhong Shan said, according to Reuters.

“Many American and western friends think that China can’t live without the United States but that’s only half true,” he added.

{mosads}Zhong stressed that U.S. also relies on China and that the growth of U.S. exports to China in recent years has exceeded the growth of Chinese exports to the U.S.

“At the same time, the United States can’t live without China,” he said.

Zhong said he is looking forward to meeting with the U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross.

“I am aware that Mr. Ross is an outstanding businessman and an experienced negotiator, an excellent person” Zhong said.

“I am willing to deal with excellent people because excellent people play the long game and think strategically,” he added.