BEIJING — China said on March 22 that it opposed the United States’ potential unilateral and protectionist trade practices, with the Ministry of Commerce warning that all necessary measures will be taken to defend its rights and interests.

“China will absolutely not sit back watching its legitimate interests be damaged,” said a spokesperson with the Ministry of Commerce.

The remarks came in response to media reports that the US administration would soon make public the results of a Section 301 trade investigation and impose restrictive measures upon China.