China has expressed its strong dissatisfaction with and resolute opposition to the restrictive measures imposed by the United States, which are based on the so-called results of the Section 301 investigation into China's maritime, logistics and shipbuilding sectors, China's Ministry of Commerce said on Tuesday.
Asked about China's response to the restrictive measures by the U.S., a spokesperson for the ministry said that the U.S. measures represents typical unilateralism and protectionism, seriously violating World Trade Organization rules and contravening the principle of equality and mutual benefit in the China-U.S. Maritime Transport Agreement.
These actions grant unfair competitive advantages to shipping and shipbuilding enterprises from relevant countries, constituting discriminatory practices against China's shipping and shipbuilding industries and severely harming the interests of China's relevant industries, said the spokesperson.
China is strongly dissatisfied with this and resolutely opposes it, the spokesperson said, adding that China has announced last Friday that it would charge special port fees on ships with U.S. elements, including those carrying the U.S. flag or being built by the United States, as well as those owned, invested or operated by U.S. companies.
The U.S. measures will not only impact the stability of global supply chains and significantly increase international trade costs, but will also push up domestic inflation in the United States, harm the competitiveness of American ports and employment, and affect the security and resilience of its own supply chain, said the spokesperson.
The spokesperson noted that there has been widespread opposition within the U.S. industrial sector, which clearly demonstrates that these measures are detrimental to both others and the United States itself, proving to be unbeneficial for the development of its own shipbuilding industry.
To further safeguard the interests of China's relevant industries, Chinese authorities has included certain enterprises that have assisted or supported the relevant U.S. investigation activities in the countermeasure list, in accordance with related provisions, such as the National Security Law, the Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law and the Regulation of the People's Republic of China on International Maritime Transport, said the spokesperson.
China has also launched a probe into actions by the U.S. or certain countries and enterprises that threaten the safety and development interests of China's shipping and shipbuilding industries, the spokesperson added.
The spokesperson said that during the implementation of the probe, China will adhere to the principles of openness, fairness and justice in law enforcement and investigations, fully protecting the rights of all stakeholders.
China's position on the relevant issues is clear and consistent -- If the U.S. wants to fight, we’ll fight back till the end. If the U.S. wants to talk, our door is open, said the spokesperson.
China urges the United States to rectify its erroneous practices and work with China to address issues of mutual concerns through equal dialogue and consultation, said the spokesperson.
China firmly opposes US restrictive measures targeting Chinese maritime, logistics, shipbuilding sectors
