China files complaint with WTO on US tariffs

SINGAPORE (ICIS)–China has filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) on US tariffs on $300bn of Chinese goods that kicked in on 1 September for the first batch of products, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said late on Monday.

“The US move severely violates consensus reached between leaders of the two countries in Osaka. China is strongly dissatisfied and firmly opposes,” the ministry said in a statement.

China will firmly safeguard its legitimate rights and interests and resolutely defend the multilateral trading system and international trade order in accordance with relevant WTO rules, it added.

In retaliation to the US move, China has slapped tariffs on $75bn of US imports in two tranches, effective on the same dates as those of the US’ – on 1 September and 15 December.

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