'US risks future of multilateral system'

The United States' violation of World Trade Organization principles could endanger multilateralism, while China has been firmly obeying WTO rules to safeguard the global trade system, experts said.

Concerns have arisen over escalating trade conflicts between the two sides, which would lead to a situation where normal trade disputes are solved by unilateral action rather than multilateral procedures, they said.

US tariff measures under Section 301 of US Trade Act of 1974 have violated the rules and principles of the WTO in three respects, said Xiao Jin, a partner at King & Wood Mallesons, a Beijing-headquartered multinational law firm.