U.S. 301 trade probe targeting 16 economies is a typical unilateralist act, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said on Friday.
The spokesperson made the remarks in response to a media query about the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative's announcement on the launch of Section 301 investigations against 16 economies including China, citing so-called "overcapacity".
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US 301 trade probe targeting 16 economies a typical unilateralist act: Chinese spokesperson
US 301 trade probe targeting 16 economies a typical unilateralist act: Chinese spokesperson
US 301 trade probe targeting 16 economies a typical unilateralist act: Chinese spokesperson
US 301 trade probe targeting 16 economies a typical unilateralist act: Chinese spokesperson
US 301 trade probe targeting 16 economies a typical unilateralist act: Chinese spokesperson
China has noted that the United States, using so-called "overcapacity," has initiated Section 301 investigations into 16 economic entities, including China, said the spokesperson, who also stressed that the trade probe is a typical unilateralist act that seriously undermines the international economic and trade order, and a World Trade Organization (WTO) panel has already ruled that the tariff measures taken based on Section 301 investigations violate WTO rules.
Regarding the U.S. so-called "overcapacity" claim, China has repeatedly stated its position. The global economy has long become an indivisible whole. Production and consumption are global in nature and supply and demand should be matched and adjusted from a global perspective, the MOFCOM spokesperson said, pointing out that if countries only produced to meet domestic market demand, there would be no cross-border trade.
The United States should not narrowly define production capacity that exceeds domestic demand as "excess capacity" and label it as so-called "overcapacity." Nor does the United States have the right to unilaterally determine whether its trading partners have "overcapacity" through Section 301 investigations and impose unilateral restrictive measures, the spokesperson said.
China has also noticed that the United States has launched another round of Section 301 investigations against 60 economies including China, on the grounds that they have not banned the import of goods made with "forced labor," the spokesperson said, stating that China is conducting analysis and assessment over the move.
China urges the United States to correct its wrong practices and return to the right track of resolving issues through dialogue and consultation, according to the spokesperson. China will also closely follow the developments and reserves the right to take all necessary measures to firmly safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.
US 301 trade probe targeting 16 economies a typical unilateralist act: Chinese spokesperson
US 301 trade probe targeting 16 economies a typical unilateralist act: Chinese spokesperson
US 301 trade probe targeting 16 economies a typical unilateralist act: Chinese spokesperson
US 301 trade probe targeting 16 economies a typical unilateralist act: Chinese spokesperson
US 301 trade probe targeting 16 economies a typical unilateralist act: Chinese spokesperson
