BEIJING (Reuters) - China is well prepared to handle any negative effects from its trade dispute with the United States, the commerce ministry said on Thursday, adding that China’s tariff hikes on U.S. imports will not have a big impact overall on its domestic industries.

Benchmark Tokyo rubber futures edged higher for a second session on Wednesday, helped by firmer Shanghai futures and lower yen against the U.S. dollar, but concerns over the rising inventories capped gains.

Various industries that are reliant on high performance and quality rubbers are advancing at a past pace. Today, opportunities and challenges alike are shaping up innovations in leading industries such as automotive and tyres.

WASHINGTON—Volatility in raw materials prices for tires and rubber goods has moderated since last year, but is far from gone, according to manufacturers and industry analysts.