China Lodges WTO Complaint Against US Over Tariff Measures

China Lodges WTO Complaint Against US Over Tariff Measures

The Ministry of Commerce held a regular press conference on February 13, during which a spokesperson for the ministry, He Yinhua, said that China has filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) over the United States' unilateral tariff measures imposed on February 1. The measures violate WTO rules and China will handle the case in accordance with WTO procedures.

A reporter asked whether there would be any policy changes following the filing of the complaint, to which He Yinhua replied that China has urged the US to abandon its zero-sum mentality and correct its mistaken approach, returning to a multilateral trade framework and resolving concerns through equal consultation with other countries.

He Yinhua also pointed out that on February 10, the US government announced adjustments to its tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, restoring the 232 tariffs imposed in 2018 and further increasing the tariffs on aluminum products. The US' actions are typical of unilateralism and protectionism, with many countries having already expressed opposition and significant resistance within the US itself.