ISTANBUL

China on Thursday rejected what it described as “small-circle rules” after the United States announced plans to establish a preferential trade zone for critical minerals with allied countries.

China Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said maintaining an open, inclusive and mutually beneficial international trade environment serves the common interests of all nations, the Global Times reported.

“China opposes any country undermining the international economic and trade order through ‘small-circle rules,’” he told reporters in Beijing.

He added that countries share responsibility for safeguarding the stability and security of global supply and industrial chains for critical minerals.

His remarks came after US Vice President J.D. Vance on Wednesday announced that the Trump administration is seeking to form a critical minerals “preferential trade zone” with partner nations.

Addressing delegations from more than 50 nations, Vance said the United States is seeking to build consensus to form the group “to eliminate the problem of people flooding into our markets with cheap critical minerals to undercut our domestic manufacturers,” likely referring to Chinese trade practices that have repeatedly been criticized by the United States and allied nations.