Beijing Signals Trade Commitments Met, Issues Warning Over New U.S. Duties
China said on Wednesday it had already met obligations linked to Washington’s Section 301 unfair trade practices statute, after the U.S. Trade Representative signalled he would continue investigations that could lead to more tariffs.
Beijing made an agreement with the United States linked to that statute in 2020, a spokesperson from China’s Commerce Ministry said.
China hoped the U.S. would not “shift responsibility” or “provoke trouble” but will instead see that the agreement had been implemented, the spokesperson added in a statement.
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said last week his office would continue probes under Section 301 involving China and Brazil among others that could lead to tariffs if unfair trading practices were found.
China was willing to work with the U.S. via the economic and trade consultation mechanism between both countries, the ministry spokesperson said.
Beijing would defend its rights and interests if the U.S. insisted on advancing the investigations and imposing restrictive measures, the spokesperson added.
Reporting by Liz Lee and Beijing newsroom; Editing by Andrew Heavens
This article was first reported by Reuters
