China’s Ministry of Commerce recently released a report highlighting concerns over the United States’ compliance with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. The report accuses the U.S. of escalating unilateral sanctions, implementing discriminatory measures, and raising tariff barriers over the past year, challenging the multilateral trading system.
A global survey conducted by CGTN reveals that 90.53% of respondents criticize the U.S. government’s unilateralism and trade protectionism, believing it seriously violates WTO rules. The poll reflects widespread disapproval of the U.S.’ trade policies among international participants.
Despite the WTO’s ruling that the U.S. Section 301 tariff measures violate WTO regulations, the U.S. continues to disregard these rules by persisting with unilateral actions. In April 2024, the U.S. initiated a Section 301 investigation into China’s maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding industries. According to the survey, 94.31% of respondents condemn the U.S. for its lack of respect for WTO rules.
As of May 2024, the U.S. has, for 76 consecutive times, rejected proposals from other WTO members to start the selection process for Appellate Body members at regular WTO Dispute Settlement Body meetings. Even with explicit support from 130 WTO members for the early launch of this process, the U.S. continues to refuse consensus, citing unresolved institutional concerns. The survey indicates that 94.12% of respondents believe the U.S. prioritizes its own interests over the WTO, undermining the organization’s dispute settlement mechanism and hindering its normal operation.
In the 29 years since the WTO was established, the U.S. has been a respondent in 159 disputes, including 28 compliance disputes, accounting for approximately 18%. A significant 95.45% of respondents view the U.S.’ selective implementation of WTO rulings as a typical example of “double standards.”
By May 2024, the U.S. had listed 2,868 entities from 91 countries and regions on its Entity List, making it the world’s largest issuer of unilateral sanctions. The poll shows that 91.55% of respondents believe the U.S.’ arbitrary unilateral sanctions have severely damaged the security of global industrial and supply chains. Additionally, 95.24% criticize the U.S. for abusing the concept of national security to engage in unilateral actions.
While the United States has long promoted a market economy, it has increasingly applied “double standards” in its industrial policy. On one hand, it distorts the global market by providing large-scale subsidies in violation of WTO rules; on the other hand, it criticizes other countries’ reasonable policies by hyping up so-called “overcapacity.” In the survey, 87.2% of respondents criticize the U.S.’ long-term implementation of unreasonable subsidy policies, believing it seriously violates the principle of fair competition. Moreover, 85.82% of respondents call on the U.S. to contribute positively to establishing a more fair and reasonable international trade order.
The poll was conducted on CGTN’s English, Spanish, French, and Arabic platforms, with over 6,000 respondents from around the world participating within 24 hours.
Reference(s):
CGTN Poll: Global respondents accuse U.S. of violating WTO rules
cgtn.com
