The Ministry of Commerce of China File photo: VCG

Commenting on the USTR Section 301 Action regarding China's maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors, China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said in a statement on Friday that China strongly deplores and opposes the US action. The US action is typical non-market behavior with discriminatory overtones, the ministry said, adding that China will closely monitor the situation and take resolute measures to safeguard its own rights and interests.

For over a year, China has repeatedly stated its stance to the US side, asking it to respect facts and cease its wrongdoings, and stop blaming China for the developmental problems faced by US industries, the ministry said.

At a recent hearing held by the US side, the majority of industry representatives from various countries expressed opposition to the US measures, and there was also significant domestic opposition within the US. However, the US remains obstinate and insists on implementing the relevant restrictive measures, the MOFCOM said. "China strongly expresses its dissatisfaction and firmly opposes this."

The measures taken by the US fully expose the nature of its unilateralism and protectionist policies, which are typical non-market practices with obvious discriminatory characteristics. They seriously harm the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises, significantly disrupt the stability of global production and supply chains, severely violate WTO rules, and greatly undermine the rules-based multilateral trading system and international economic and trade order, per the MOFCOM statement.

China urges the US to respect facts and multilateral trading rules, abide by market economy and fair competition principles, cease its “blame-shifting” practices, and promptly rectify its wrongdoings. China will closely monitor the situation and take resolute measures to safeguard its own rights and interests, the MOFCOM said. 


Global Times