China’s Commerce Ministry on Thursday criticized proposed US investment controls as a violation of global trade rules, saying it reserves the right to retaliate if they take effect. The comment came as the two sides prepared for weekend talks in Beijing on US complaints about China’s trade surplus and China’s promise to buy more American goods, AP reports. According to a ministry spokesman, Gao Feng, the White House proposal to restrict Chinese investment in the United States violates the “rules and basic spirit” of the World Trade Organization. China “will carefully evaluate the US measures and reserves the right to take corresponding measures,” Gao said.