China firmly opposes US tariff hike on Chinese goods: Ministry of Commerce

BEIJING -- China firmly opposes and lodges solemn representations over the further increase of additional tariffs on some Chinese goods by the United States, and will take resolute measures to safeguard its own rights and interests, Ministry of Commerce said on Tuesday.

On top of existing tariffs under Section 301, the United States on Tuesday decided to raise additional tariffs on its imports of Chinese products including electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries, solar cells, critical minerals, semiconductors, steel and aluminum, and cranes.

China is strongly dissatisfied with the US abuse of the Section 301 tariff review procedure driven by domestic political concerns and its increase of additional tariffs on certain Chinese products, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce said in a statement.

This move politicizes trade issues and uses them as a tool, the statement said, calling it "typical political manipulation."

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has already ruled that the Section 301 tariffs are in violation of WTO regulations, yet the US side has continued its wrongdoing, it said.

The US tariff hike goes against the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and the promises of US President Joe Biden, and will seriously affect the atmosphere of bilateral cooperation, said the statement.

The US side should immediately rectify its wrongdoing and remove the additional tariff measures against China, it said.