Beijing, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) — A spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce stated on the 14th, in response to a media query regarding recent U.S. announcements of tariff increases and other restrictive measures against China, that the U.S. cannot simultaneously seek talks while threatening and intimidating with new restrictive measures; this is not the correct way to engage with China. China urges the U.S. to promptly correct its wrong practices, demonstrate sincerity for talks, and move towards China.
A journalist asked: Recently, U.S. officials stated that after learning of China’s export control measures on rare earths and related items, they proposed a call with China, but China postponed this suggestion. At the same time, the U.S. expressed that both sides need to find a way back to a stable situation. What is the Ministry of Commerce’s comment on this?
The spokesperson said, China has taken note of the relevant situation. Recently, China has already articulated its position regarding the U.S. threat to impose 100% tariffs and other restrictive measures against China. I wish to reiterate that the export control measures on rare earths and related items are legitimate actions by the Chinese government, based on laws and regulations, to improve its own export control system. As a responsible major country, China consistently and firmly safeguards its national security and international common security. China’s export controls are not prohibitions on exports; applications that comply with regulations will be approved as always, to jointly maintain the security and stability of global industrial and supply chains. Before the measures were introduced, China had notified the U.S. through the bilateral export control dialogue mechanism. In contrast, the U.S. has long broadened the concept of national security, abused export controls, and adopted discriminatory practices against China. Particularly since the China-U.S. Madrid economic and trade talks, the U.S. has continuously introduced a series of new restrictive measures against China, severely harming China’s interests and seriously undermining the atmosphere of bilateral economic and trade talks. China firmly opposes this.
The spokesperson stated that regarding tariff wars and trade wars, China’s position is consistent. If a fight is picked, we will fight to the end; if talks are sought, our door remains open. China and the U.S. share extensive common interests and broad space for cooperation. When the two sides cooperate, both benefit; when they confront, both suffer. The past four rounds of economic and trade consultations have fully demonstrated that China and the U.S., based on mutual respect and equal consultation, can find ways to resolve issues. The two sides have maintained communication within the framework of the China-U.S. economic and trade consultation mechanism and held working-level talks just yesterday.
The spokesperson pointed out that the U.S. cannot simultaneously seek talks while threatening and intimidating with new restrictive measures; this is not the correct way to engage with China. China urges the U.S. to promptly correct its wrong practices, demonstrate sincerity for talks, and move towards China, guided by the important consensus of the phone call between the two heads of state, to preserve the hard-won results of the consultations, continue to leverage the role of the China-U.S. economic and trade consultation mechanism, resolve respective concerns through dialogue and consultation, properly manage differences, and promote the healthy, stable, and sustainable development of China-U.S. economic and trade relations.
