China asks US to remove unilateral tariffs

China has urged the United States to revoke all relevant unilateral tariff measures and address bilateral trade concerns through dialogue and consultation after Washington imposed an additional tariff of 12.5 percent on Chinese goods under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, the Ministry of Commerce said on Monday.

Washington's move, taken under the pretext of "forced labor", is a typical act of unilateralism and protectionism, a spokesperson with the ministry said, stressing that China firmly opposes the move.

China has consistently opposed forced labor, established a comprehensive system of labor laws and regulations, and taken firm steps to prevent and combat such practices, the spokesperson said.

The US, by contrast, has yet to ratify the Forced Labour Convention of 1930 and has long manipulated the issue of "forced labor", the spokesperson added.

Washington has repeatedly said it intends to use Section 301 duties to replace tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act that were struck down by the US Supreme Court, as well as the Section 122 import surcharge, the spokesperson said.

During China-US economic and trade consultations, Washington explicitly pledged that any replacement tariff imposed on Chinese goods would not exceed 20 percent. The current rate stands at 12.5 percent, the spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, Beijing's countermeasures against the first round of the US "fentanyl" and "reciprocal" tariffs remain in effect, the spokesperson added.

"We will continue to closely monitor and fully assess any further steps by the US and reserve the right to take all necessary measures," the spokesperson said.

"We urge the US to correct its wrongdoings and revoke all relevant unilateral tariff measures," the spokesperson added.

China is willing to continue dialogue and consultations with the US on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit to address concerns on both sides, the spokesperson said.

Beijing also hopes Washington will work in the same direction, follow through on the consensus reached in bilateral trade talks, reduce outstanding issues and expand areas of cooperation, thereby helping build a constructive China-US relationship of strategic stability, the spokesperson added.