China has filed complaint with WTO against US tariff hike: commerce ministry

China

China has filed complaint with WTO against US tariff hike: commerce ministry

2025-02-04 15:03 Last Updated At：19:57

China has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. tariffs hike to the dispute resolution mechanism of the World Trade Organization (WTO) to safeguard its rights and interests, the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said Tuesday.

U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Saturday night to impose a 10-percent tariff on Chinese imports into the country on top of existing tariffs.

According to a statement read by a spokesperson with the MOC, the U.S. tariffs hike on Chinese exports severely violate WTO rules and represent a severe and malicious act of unilateralism and trade protectionism.

Th U.S. acts significantly undermine the rules-based multilateral trading system, disrupt the foundation of economic and trade cooperation between China and the United States, and disturb the stability of global industrial and supply chains, said the spokesperson.

The United States has repeatedly prioritized unilateralism over multilateralism, drawing strong condemnation from a wide range of WTO members. China firmly opposes the U.S. move and urges the U.S.side to immediately correct its erroneous practices.

China is a steadfast supporter and important contributor to the multilateral trading system, the spokesperson noted, saying that the country is willing to work with other WTO members to jointly address the challenges posed by unilateralism and trade protectionism, and to uphold the orderly and stable development of international trade.

Film IP fuels expansion of consumer market

China's movie industry is increasingly deriving its earnings from broader consumer economy.

Released during the 2025 summer season, the film "Nobody" became China's highest-grossing two-dimensional animated film -- and its success went beyond theaters.

Through licensing and brand partnerships, the movie has generated 2.5 billion yuan (about 358.3 million U.S. dollars) in retail sales to consumers, with more than 800 licensed products on the market.

Ranging from plush toys to food and home goods, the movie-related merchandise can be purchased from over 3,000 online and offline outlets.

Meanwhile, souvenir stores are crowded at Shanghai Disneyland's Zootopia themed land, with hats, plush toys, and collectibles seeing steady demand from visitors.

"China's film industry is no longer defined by box office revenue alone. It has become a new growth engine that links and energizes multiple cultural sectors. At the heart of every successful film is strong storytelling. High-quality productions create cultural value, which in turn enhances the commercial value of intellectual property and opens up new consumption opportunities. I believe China's film industry delivered an outstanding performance in the past year," said Chen Xiaoda, vice dean of Shanghai Vancouver Film School.