China's Ministry of Commerce said on Wednesday that the country has filed a lawsuit against the United States with the World Trade Organization (WTO)'s dispute settlement mechanism following the latest U.S. tariff hikes.
It comes after the United States moved to increase its so-called "reciprocal tariff" on Chinese products exported to the U.S. by a further 50 percent, taking the tariff to 84 percent.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce announced on Wednesday that the tariff measures of the United States seriously violate the rules of the WTO, and said the further 50-percent tariff increase is a grave mistake on top of an existing one, which highlights the unilateral bullying nature of the U.S. actions.
China will firmly safeguard its legitimate rights and interests in accordance with WTO rules, and resolutely uphold the multilateral trading system and the international economic and trade order, the spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, the Customs Tariff Commission of the Chinese State Council announced on Wednesday that the tariff rate for all goods imported from the United States will be increased from 34 percent to 84 percent, effective from 12:01 (Beijing Time) on April 10.
Also on Wednesday, the Ministry of Commerce issued another announcement adding 12 U.S. entities to the export control list, prohibiting the export of dual-use items to these entities. The work mechanism for the unreliable entity list also issued announcement, adding six U.S. companies on the unreliable entity list, prohibiting them from engaging in import and export activities related to China, and prohibiting these companies from making new investments in China.
China files case at WTO against new US tariffs
China's top legislator Zhao Leji conducted an inspection and research tour in central China's Hubei Province from Thursday to Saturday, emphasizing the imperativeness to adhere to the guiding role of President Xi Jinping's Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, closely focus on the central tasks of the Communist Party and the country to plan and advance the work of People's Congresses, and provide legal guarantee for achieving a good start in implementing the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030).
In conducting inspection in Yichang and Wuhan cities during the tour, Zhao, chairman of China's National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee and also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, visited grassroots-level liaison offices for contact with People's Congress deputies, enterprises, villages and farmers' homes, having face-to-face exchanges with local People's Congress deputies and members of the public, and extensively hearing their opinions and suggestions on the draft work report of the NPC Standing Committee and high-quality development of the work of People's Congresses.
He emphasized that People's Congresses should perform their duties in accordance with law and better serve the country's major policy decisions. As the Fourth Session of the 14th NPC will be held in Beijing in March, it is imperative to conduct such activities as organizing People's Congress deputies to study draft laws and conduct inspection and research, and ensure that People's Congress deputies will fulfill their legal duties well.
He also highlighted the need to improve the quality of legislation, enhance the effectiveness of supervision, and carry out law popularization and education at the grassroots level.
Top legislator makes investigation, research tour in central China's Hubei
