#夏日创作营 The US imposes a 12.5% additional 301 tariff on China. The Ministry of Commerce: retains the right to take all necessary measures, urges the US to correct its erroneous practices, and calls for the full cancellation of the relevant unilateral tariff measures

According to a notice on the Ministry of Commerce website, the Ministry of Commerce’s spokesperson answered reporters’ questions regarding the final measures of the US “forced labor” 301 investigation.
Q: On July 23, Eastern Time, the Office of the US Trade Representative issued final measures based on the results of the 301 investigation for “imports of forced labor products not prohibited,” imposing 301 tariffs on 60 economies, including China, and adding a 12.5% 301 tariff on China. What is the response from the Chinese side?
A: We have noted the relevant situation. The Chinese side has consistently opposed forced labor, has established a sound system of labor laws and regulations, and resolutely prevents and cracks down on forced labor practices. By contrast, the US side has not only still not approved accession to the 1930 Forced Labor Convention, but has also long manipulated the “forced labor” issue. This time, it initiated a 301 investigation and imposed unilateral tariffs again on the grounds of “forced labor,” which is a typical act of unilateralism and protectionism. The Chinese side firmly opposes it.
We have also noted that the US side has repeatedly stated that it intends to replace the tariffs and the 122 import surcharge under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which have been ruled ineffective. In the course of the China-US economic and trade consultations, the US side has clearly committed that any replacement tariffs imposed on Chinese goods will not exceed 20%. At present, the replacement tariff imposed by the US on Chinese goods is 12.5%, and the Chinese side’s countermeasures to the US’s so-called fentanyl tariffs in the first round, as well as to the reciprocal tariffs, remain effective. We will continue to closely monitor and comprehensively assess the US side’s subsequent actions, and we retain the right to take all necessary measures.
The Chinese side urges the US side to correct its erroneous practices and fully cancel the relevant unilateral tariff measures. The Chinese side is willing to continue dialogue and consultation with the US side on the basis of mutual respect and equality and mutual benefit to address each side’s concerns. We hope the US side will move in the direction of China, and work together to ensure that the economic and trade consultation consensus is effectively implemented, further shrink the list of issues, expand the list of cooperation, and make greater contributions to building a constructive, stable strategic relationship between China and the US.