CGTN America
The United States Trade Representative office released a proposed list of products imported from China that could face more tariffs.
The proposed list covers about 1,300 individual tariffs in aerospace, information and communication technology, robotics, and machinery.
In response, China’s Ministry of Commerce said that it strongly condemns and firmly opposes the U.S. tariff proposals and is ready to take reciprocal measures on U.S. products.
CGTN’s Nathan King reports.
The Chinese Embassy in the United States also released a statement that said the USTR action has “gravely violated” the World Trade Organization.
“It serves neither China’s interest, nor U.S. interest, even less the interest of the global economy,” the statement said.
“As the Chinese saying goes, it is only polite to reciprocate. The Chinese side will resort to the WTO dispute settlement mechanism and take corresponding measures of equal scale and strength against U.S. products in accordance with Chinese law. We hope that the U.S. side, with sense and the long-term view in mind, refrain from going further down the wrong path.”
The proposal will face an official public comment period, including a hearing, the statement said. Following this process, the USTR will issue a final determination on products that will face additional tariffs.
The USTR said the list was compiled “based on extensive interagency economic analysis and would target products that benefit from China’s industrial plans while minimizing the impact on the U.S. economy.”
U.S. President Donald Trump announced in March that he would impose tariffs on about $50 billion in Chinese imports on grounds that Chinese policies force U.S. companies to transfer technology and intellectual property to Chinese companies, the USTR statement said.
The announcement was made after the USTR filed a request for consultation with China under the World Trade Organization rules. It is the first step in the WTO dispute settlement process, the statement said.
“If the United States and China are unable to reach a solution through consultations, the United States may request the establishment of a WTO dispute settlement panel to review the matter,” the statement said.
VIEW THE LIST OF PROPOSED ITEMS
READ THE USTR DOCUMENT AND SEE THE PROPOSED LIST
