China Opposes US Tariffs Imposed Under ‘Forced Labor’ Pretext

Dragon Media News Desk

China has strongly opposed the US decision to launch a Section 301 investigation and impose additional tariffs on Chinese goods under the pretext of “forced labor.” China’s Ministry of Commerce described the move as a typical act of unilateralism and protectionism and urged Washington to completely remove the relevant tariff measures.

According to the Global Times, the Office of the US Trade Representative announced its final decision following a Section 301 investigation into imported goods allegedly produced using forced labor. The measures include an additional 12.5 percent tariff on Chinese imports, along with tariffs on certain goods from 60 other economies.

A spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Commerce said China has consistently opposed forced labor and has established a comprehensive system of labor laws and regulations to prevent and punish such practices.

“China has continued to prevent and crack down on forced labor,” the Global Times reported, citing the ministry’s statement.

The ministry noted that the United States itself has not ratified the Forced Labour Convention of 1930 and accused Washington of repeatedly using the issue as a political and trade instrument.

According to the spokesperson, the US once again invoked “forced labor” as a pretext to initiate a Section 301 investigation and impose unilateral tariffs. China considers the move a protectionist measure that runs contrary to established principles of international trade.

The ministry also said the US had previously indicated that it intended to replace tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and the Section 122 import surcharge with Section 301 tariffs. China noted that tariffs imposed under the emergency powers law had already been ruled invalid by a US court.

During China-US economic and trade consultations, Washington had committed that replacement additional tariffs on Chinese goods would not exceed 20 percent, the ministry said. The current replacement additional tariff imposed on Chinese goods stands at 12.5 percent.

China also made clear that its countermeasures against the first round of US so-called fentanyl tariffs and reciprocal tariffs remain in effect. The ministry said it would closely monitor and comprehensively assess further US actions and reserved the right to take all necessary measures.

China urged the United States to correct what it called a wrongful practice and fully remove the relevant unilateral tariffs. It also said Beijing remained willing to continue economic and trade dialogue with Washington on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit.

The ministry called on the US to implement the understandings reached during bilateral economic and trade consultations, reduce the list of disputes and expand areas of cooperation. Such steps, it said, would contribute to building a constructive China-US relationship based on strategic stability.