CCTV News: The spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce answered reporters' questions about the United States' proposed restrictions on our maritime, logistics, shipbuilding and other fields.
A reporter asked: On February 21, Eastern Time, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative announced that it would solicit public opinions on its restrictive measures on China's maritime, logistics, shipbuilding and other fields. What is the Ministry of Commerce’s response to this?
A: China has noticed the relevant situation. Since March 2024, China and the United States have conducted multiple rounds of communication on US maritime, logistics and shipbuilding related investigations in China. China repeatedly declared its views on the 301 investigation and provided China's position with non-document, requiring the US to return to rationality and objectiveness and stop blaming China for its domestic industrial development issues. But unfortunately, the US still insists on its own and goes further and further on the wrong path.
Previously, the US imposed 301 tariffs on China, which was ruled by the WTO expert group to violate WTO rules and was opposed by many WTO members. The US abuse of 301 investigation methods for domestic political needs is a further undermining of the multilateral trading system. The proposed restrictions on the imposition of port fees and other measures to harm others and themselves. Not only will it not revitalize the US shipbuilding industry, but it will increase the transportation costs of shipping routes related to the US, increase inflation pressure in the US, reduce the global competitiveness of US goods, and damage the interests of US ports, terminal operators and workers. The US also has a lot of opposition to this. Relevant countries and organizations also expressed opposition and dissatisfaction with the US investigation.
China urges the US to respect facts and multilateral rules and stop its wrong practices. China will closely monitor the US trends and take necessary measures to defend its legitimate rights and interests.
