China firmly opposes US tariff proposals

BEIJING - China strongly condemns and firmly opposes the US tariff proposals and is ready to take reciprocal measures on US products, the Ministry of Commerce said on Wednesday.

Statement of the Chinese Embassy in the United States on the Announcement of the Proposed Tariff List on Chinese Products Under Section 301 Action. The Chinese side strongly condemns and firmly opposes the unfounded Section 301 investigation and the proposed list of products and tariff increases based on the investigation.

Such unilateralistic and protectionist action has gravely violated fundamental principles and values of the WTO. It serves neither China’s interest, nor US interest, even less the interest of the global economy.

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 US products in accordance with Chinese law.

We hope that the US side, with sense and long-term picture in mind, refrain from going further down the wrong path.