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China-US clash on tariffs: Beijing condemns US squeeze on logistics and shipbuilding

The Chinese government attacks Washington’s new measures against the People’s Republic’s ships: ‘Discriminatory and non-market policies’. Countermeasures plan ready

Beijing reacts strongly to the new trade crackdown announced by the United States against China’s maritime, logistics and shipbuilding sectors. In a note released overnight, the Ministry of Commerce called Washington’s measures ‘a typical non-commercial behaviour with discriminatory overtones’, saying that China will ‘carefully monitor the situation’ and take ‘all resolute measures to safeguard its rights and interests’.

The controversy stems from the decision announced on Friday by the US Trade Representative, Jamieson Greer: starting in October, new taxes will come into effect on ships built or owned by China that dock in US ports. A move that, according to Beijing, openly violates World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules.

The Chinese government recalled that for more than a year it has repeatedly expressed its position to the United States, demanding ‘respect for the facts’ and an end to ‘illegal actions’, accusing Washington of ‘shifting the blame’ for its industries’ difficulties onto its Asian competitor.

During a recent hearing in the US, ‘most industry representatives from various countries expressed opposition’ to the US line, Beijing added, also pointing to ‘significant internal opposition’ in the US itself.

In spite of this, ‘Washington remains stubborn’ and insists on applying the restrictive measures under Section 301 of the US Trade Act of 1974. According to the Chinese ministry, this strategy ‘exposes the nature of US unilateralism and protectionism’, ‘severely affecting the legitimate rights of Chinese enterprises’ and jeopardising the stability of global supply chains.

Finally, Beijing urged the US to ‘abide by the facts and rules’, adhering to ‘the principles of market economy and fair competition’, and to ‘promptly rectify its wrongdoings’.

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