Beijing, October 10, 2023—China has expressed strong opposition to a recent U.S. report on foreign trade barriers that designates China as a ‘country of primary concern.’ The report, released on March 29 by the Office of the United States Trade Representative, accuses China of non-market policies and practices, as well as barriers related to agricultural products and data policies.
A spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Commerce issued a statement on Tuesday, asserting that the U.S. report lacks evidence that China’s policies violate World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. “Since joining the WTO, China has steadfastly supported the multilateral trading system, expanded its opening-up, and enhanced its market and legal systems, which have been widely recognized by the international community,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson criticized the U.S. for adhering to an ‘America First’ policy, accusing it of imposing unilateral tariffs on other countries, pursuing discriminatory industrial policies, and abusively implementing export controls and investment protection measures under the guise of national security. The spokesperson added that these actions restrict foreign companies from participating in U.S. government procurement, creating unfair trade barriers.
“The United States has erected numerous trade barriers that impede fair competition,” the spokesperson stated. “We urge the U.S. to stop making unfounded accusations against other countries, abide by WTO rules, and uphold a fair and equitable international trade order.”
The escalating trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies have raised concerns among global investors and market analysts. The disagreement underscores the challenges facing international trade relations and the importance of cooperative dialogue in resolving such issues.
Reference(s):
China slams U.S. trade barriers report listing it as 'primary concern'
cgtn.com
