File Photo: An attendant cleans the carpet next to U.S. and Chinese national flags before a news conference for the 6th round of U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, July 10, 2014. (Xinhua/REUTERS)

WASHINGTON, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Forty-five U.S. trade associations, representing retail, technology, agriculture and other consumer-product industries, on Sunday urged the Trump administration not to move forward its tariff plan on Chinese imports, as it would hurt U.S. consumers and companies.

"The imposition of sweeping tariffs would trigger a chain reaction of negative consequences for the U.S. economy, provoking retaliation; stifling U.S. agriculture, goods, and services exports; and raising costs for businesses and consumers," the trade groups said in a letter to U.S. President Donald Trump.

File Photo: U.S. President Donald Trump addresses a press conference with visiting Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven (not in the photo) at the White House in Washington D.C., the United States, March 6, 2018. (Xinhua/Ting Shen)

"We urge the Administration to take measured, commercially meaningful actions consistent with international obligations that benefit U.S. exporters, importers, and investors, rather than penalize the American consumer and jeopardize recent gains in American competitiveness," the letter said.

The letter came after the Trump administration was reportedly considering tariffs on 30-60 billion U.S. dollars of annual Chinese imports, mainly targeting technology and telecommunications sectors, for China's alleged "unfair trade practices."

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said Thursday that China hoped to address bilateral trade issues with the United States in a constructive manner and by making a bigger "cake" of cooperation.

File Photo: Lu Kang, a spokesperson for Chinese Foreign Ministry, answers questions during the ministry's routine press briefing in Beijing, capital of China, July 12, 2016. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua)

"The two sides have properly resolved their trade differences in a constructive manner over the past 40 years. We believe the two countries can still settle their disputes through friendly negotiations, and we are ready to do so," the spokesman said.