From Beijing comes a resolute message to the US: China will not back down from defending its rights. The Commerce Ministry spokesperson responded forcefully to US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer’s vow to escalate a Section 301 review of China’s Phase One trade deal performance, with tariffs looming as a tool.
Effective since early 2020, the pact sought to de-escalate the trade war through commitments on IP safeguards, market access expansions in finance and agriculture, and balanced trade flows. China asserts it has delivered fully, navigating COVID disruptions, chain interruptions, and worldwide slowdowns with unyielding resolve.
America’s record falls short. Export curbs and investment bans have contravened the agreement’s intent, poisoning the atmosphere for fulfillment. Beijing’s white paper provides irrefutable evidence, clarifying truths amid distortions.
Encouragingly, five phases of consultations over the past year have unlocked key advances. China hopes the US will adopt a balanced perspective on implementation. Committed to fostering ties, Beijing welcomes cooperation. Yet, any aggressive pursuit of investigations will trigger comprehensive countermeasures to protect legitimate interests.
The world economy hangs in the balance. With intertwined interests, renewed hostilities could exacerbate inflation and slow recovery. Stakeholders urge restraint, but hardening positions signal challenges ahead in bilateral relations.