China's Ministry of Commerce has called on the United States to adopt an objective and rational approach in evaluating the implementation of the 2020 phase-one trade agreement, emphasizing Beijing's compliance efforts despite global economic challenges. The statement, issued on February 24, 2026, responds to recent remarks by U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer regarding potential tariff measures linked to an ongoing Section 301 investigation.
Chinese officials highlighted that since the agreement's implementation six years ago, the country has overcome pandemic-related disruptions and global economic headwinds to fulfill commitments on intellectual property protection, financial market openness, and agricultural trade expansion. The ministry criticized U.S. measures including tightened export controls and investment restrictions as counterproductive to the agreement's spirit.
Since 2025, bilateral economic teams have conducted five rounds of consultations, achieving consensus on tariff suspensions, agricultural trade frameworks, and investment restriction reductions. China expressed willingness to continue collaboration through established mechanisms, urging Washington to focus on implementing existing agreements rather than pursuing new confrontational measures.
The ministry warned that any U.S. tariff implementation under the current investigation would meet with 'necessary countermeasures,' while reaffirming commitment to dialogue guided by previous leaders' consensus.
