China has expressed strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to the United States (US) decision to abuse Section 301 to impose higher tariffs on some Chinese goods, according to a statement by China’s Ministry of Commerce on Saturday. This response follows the U.S. Office of the Trade Representative’s announcement on Friday regarding final adjustments in its statutory review of tariff actions against China under Section 301.
A spokesperson from the Ministry of Commerce emphasized that China has lodged multiple formal protests over the U.S. tariffs. The World Trade Organization (WTO) previously ruled that the tariffs violated WTO rules, yet the U.S. has not corrected its stance. Instead, it has escalated the situation by increasing tariffs further, a move China described as trade protectionism and unilateralism.
China Opposition to US Section 301 Tariff Hikes
The Chinese government argues that this approach not only harms global trade but also disrupts the security and stability of international supply chains. Additionally, China claims that the tariff hikes will not resolve the U.S.’ own trade deficit or industrial competitiveness issues but will instead raise import costs for U.S. companies and consumers.
The Ministry of Commerce’s 2024 Report on WTO Compliance labeled the U.S. a “disrupter of global industrial and supply chains” and criticized the country’s reliance on Section 301 tariffs. Public opinion in the U.S. also appears opposed to these tariffs, with many calling for broader exemptions.
China has urged the U.S. to remove the additional tariffs and threatened to take necessary measures to protect Chinese business interests. The China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) echoed these concerns, warning that the tariffs undermine long-term cooperation between Chinese and U.S. industries and global supply chains.
China’s business community, supported by organizations like CCPIT, remains committed to fostering fair competition and promoting stable, long-term cooperation between the two nations.
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