China firmly opposes U.S. tariff hike on Chinese goods
China has firmly opposed and lodged solemn representations over the further increase of additional tariffs on some Chinese goods by the United States.
The country’s Ministry of Commerce said on Tuesday that it will take resolute measures to safeguard its own rights and interests.
On top of existing tariffs under Section 301, the United States decided to raise additional tariffs on its imports of Chinese products, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce said in a statement.
The products include electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries, solar cells, critical minerals, semiconductors, steel and aluminium, and cranes.
China is strongly dissatisfied with the U.S. abuse of the Section 301 tariff review procedure driven by domestic political concerns and its increase of additional tariffs on certain Chinese products, the statement said.
This move politicises trade issues and uses them as a tool, the statement said, calling it “typical political manipulation.”
The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has already ruled that the Section 301 tariffs are in violation of WTO regulations, yet the U.S. side has continued its wrongdoing, it said.
The U.S. tariff hike goes against the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and the promises of U.S. President Joe Biden, and will seriously affect the atmosphere of bilateral cooperation, it added.
The U.S. side should immediately rectify its wrongdoing and remove the additional tariff measures against China, said the statement.
Xinhua/NAN
