Beijing, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) — In response to the recent U.S. announcement of tariff hikes and other restrictive measures against China, a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Commerce stated on the 14th that the U.S. cannot simultaneously seek dialogue while threatening and intimidating with new restrictive measures; this is not the correct way to engage with China.
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. Meanwhile, the U.S. expressed that both sides need to find a way back to a stable situation.
The spokesperson noted that 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. Regarding the export control measures on rare earths and related items, these 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 a ban on exports; applications that comply with regulations will be approved as always, jointly maintaining the security and stability of the global industrial and supply chains. Prior to the implementation of the measures, China had notified the U.S. through the bilateral export control dialogue mechanism.
The spokesperson said that, in contrast, the U.S. has long generalized national security, abused export controls, and adopted discriminatory practices against China. Especially 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 the 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, China will fight to the end; if talks are sought, the door remains open. China and the U.S. share extensive common interests and broad space for cooperation. Cooperation benefits both sides, while confrontation hurts both. The past four rounds of economic and trade consultations have fully demonstrated that, based on mutual respect and equal consultation, China and the U.S. 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 on October 13.
The spokesperson pointed out that China urges the U.S. to correct its wrong practices as soon as possible, show sincerity for talks, and work with China in the same direction. Guided by the important consensus of the phone call between the two heads of state, both sides should 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. (End)
