Ministry of Commerce Responds to US Initiating Another Section 301 Investigation Based on "Failure to Prohibit Imports of Forced Labor Products"

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, March 16 (Reporter Xie Xiyao) - On March 16, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce stated that China has noted that on March 12, Eastern Time, the U.S. initiated a Section 301 investigation against 60 economies, including China, under the pretext of “not banning the import of forced labor products.” This is the second consecutive Section 301 investigation launched by the U.S. after initiating a “overcapacity” Section 301 investigation on March 11. Currently, China and the U.S. are holding a new round of economic and trade consultations in Paris, France, and China has lodged a protest with the U.S. side. We urge the U.S. to immediately correct its wrongful practices, work with China in a reciprocal manner, adhere to the principles of mutual respect and equal consultation, and seek solutions through dialogue and negotiation. We will closely monitor the progress of the U.S. investigation and reserve the right to take all necessary measures to firmly defend our legitimate rights and interests.

The spokesperson said that the U.S. previously fabricated facts and imposed a series of trade restrictions on China under the guise of “forced labor.” China has repeatedly expressed its firm stance. China has always opposed forced labor, is one of the founding members of the International Labour Organization, has ratified 28 international labor conventions, and has established a comprehensive system of labor laws and regulations to prevent and combat forced labor.

The spokesperson pointed out that the U.S. has yet to ratify the 1930 Forced Labour Convention, refusing to be bound by international rules, yet it has long manipulated the issue of “forced labor.” The recent Section 301 investigation against China and relevant economies is an attempt to build trade barriers, characterized by unilateralism, arbitrariness, and discrimination, which is a typical protectionist act. The WTO expert panel has already ruled that U.S. tariffs under Section 301 violate WTO rules. The U.S. once again abuses the Section 301 investigation process, placing domestic law above international rules, which is a serious mistake that severely undermines the security and stability of the global industrial and supply chains and disrupts international economic and trade order.

(Edited by Wen Jing)

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