China Slams U.S. Tariff Hike, Seeks WTO Action Over “Unilateral Protectionism”
BEIJING — China has launched a formal challenge at the World Trade Organization (WTO) against the United States’ decision to impose a 10% tariff hike on Chinese imports, the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) announced Tuesday, denouncing the move as a breach of global trade rules and an assault on multilateral cooperation.
In a sharply worded statement, an MOC spokesperson accused Washington of “egregious unilateralism and trade protectionism,” arguing that the tariffs violate core WTO principles and threaten the stability of international supply chains. “The U.S. measures undermine the rules-based global trade framework, damage the bedrock of Sino-American economic relations, and jeopardize worldwide industrial stability,” the spokesperson said.
The escalation marks Beijing’s latest effort to counter what it calls Washington’s “repeated disregard for multilateral norms,” a pattern it claims has drawn widespread condemnation from WTO members. “China firmly opposes these destabilizing actions and demands the U.S. immediately correct its course,” the spokesperson added.
Emphasizing China’s role as a “pillar of the multilateral trading system,” the MOC pledged to collaborate with other nations to counter protectionist policies and uphold “orderly global commerce.” The dispute underscores deepening fissures in U.S.-China trade relations, with Beijing positioning itself as a defender of WTO legitimacy amid rising geopolitical tensions.
Analysts warn the tariff spat could further strain a fragile global economy still grappling with pandemic-era disruptions.
