China’s Ministry of Commerce on Tuesday expressed strong opposition to the United States’ decision to increase tariffs on a wide range of Chinese imports, including electric vehicles, lithium batteries, and semiconductors. The ministry stated that China will take \”resolute measures\” to defend its rights and interests.
\”The U.S. should immediately correct its wrongdoings and cancel additional tariff measures against China,\” the ministry said in a statement.
The Biden administration announced the tariff hike earlier on Tuesday, a move that could affect $18 billion worth of imported Chinese goods. The tariffs target products such as steel and aluminum, semiconductors, batteries, critical minerals, solar cells, and cranes, while retaining Trump-era tariffs on over $300 billion in goods.
According to the Chinese ministry, the U.S. has \”abused the Section 301 tariff review process\” driven by domestic political considerations, further increasing tariffs on certain Chinese products. \”This move politicizes and weaponizes trade issues, representing a typical case of political maneuvering,\” the statement added.
The ministry urged Washington to abandon its unilateralism mentality, warning that the move is exacerbating tensions between the world’s two largest economies.
(Cover image: A file photo of a section of the exterior of the Ministry of Commerce building in China. /CFP)
Reference(s):
China 'strongly' opposes U.S. tariff hike on EVs, chips and others
cgtn.com
