A spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce answered questions from reporters about the US issuing the final measures for the “Forced Labor” 301 investigation. Q: On July 23, EST, the Office of the United States Trade Representative issued final measures to impose 301 tariffs on 60 economies, including China, and a 12.5% 301 tariff on China based on the results of the 301 investigation on “Importation of Forced Labor Products is not prohibited.” What is the Chinese side's response to this? A: We have taken note of the situation. China has always opposed forced labor, established a complete system of labor laws and regulations, and resolutely prevented and combated forced labor. On the other hand, the US side not only has not yet approved its accession to the 1930 Forced Labor Convention, but has also manipulated the “forced labor” issue for a long time. This time, it has also initiated a 301 investigation and imposed unilateral tariffs on the grounds of “forced labor,” which is a typical act of unilateralism and protectionism. China firmly opposes this. We have also noticed that the US side has stated many times that it intends to pass the 301 tariff to replace the tariffs and 122 import surcharges under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which has been ruled to be invalid. The US side clearly promised in the Sino-US economic and trade negotiations that it will not impose additional tariffs on Chinese goods of more than 20% instead. Currently, the US side's alternative tariff on Chinese goods is 12.5%, and China's countermeasures against the US in the first round of so-called fentanyl tariffs and equal tariffs are still in effect. We will continue to closely monitor and comprehensively evaluate the US side's next steps, and reserve the right to take all necessary measures. The Chinese side urges the US side to correct its erroneous practices and completely abolish the relevant unilateral tariff measures. China is ready to continue dialogue and consultation with the US to resolve each other's concerns on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit. We hope that the US side and China will move in the opposite direction, jointly maintain and implement the consensus on economic and trade negotiations, continuously reduce the list of issues, extend the list of cooperation, and make more contributions to the constructive strategic and stable relationship between China and the US.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce answered questions from reporters about the US issuing the final measures for the “Forced Labor” 301 investigation. Q: On July 23, EST, the Office of the United States Trade Representative issued final measures to impose 301 tariffs on 60 economies, including China, and a 12.5% 301 tariff on China based on the results of the 301 investigation on “Importation of Forced Labor Products is not prohibited.” What is the Chinese side's response to this? A: We have taken note of the situation. China has always opposed forced labor, established a complete system of labor laws and regulations, and resolutely prevented and combated forced labor. On the other hand, the US side not only has not yet approved its accession to the 1930 Forced Labor Convention, but has also manipulated the “forced labor” issue for a long time. This time, it has also initiated a 301 investigation and imposed unilateral tariffs on the grounds of “forced labor,” which is a typical act of unilateralism and protectionism. China firmly opposes this. We have also noticed that the US side has stated many times that it intends to pass the 301 tariff to replace the tariffs and 122 import surcharges under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which has been ruled to be invalid. The US side clearly promised in the Sino-US economic and trade negotiations that it will not impose additional tariffs on Chinese goods of more than 20% instead. Currently, the US side's alternative tariff on Chinese goods is 12.5%, and China's countermeasures against the US in the first round of so-called fentanyl tariffs and equal tariffs are still in effect. We will continue to closely monitor and comprehensively evaluate the US side's next steps, and reserve the right to take all necessary measures. The Chinese side urges the US side to correct its erroneous practices and completely abolish the relevant unilateral tariff measures. China is ready to continue dialogue and consultation with the US to resolve each other's concerns on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit. We hope that the US side and China will move in the opposite direction, jointly maintain and implement the consensus on economic and trade negotiations, continuously reduce the list of issues, extend the list of cooperation, and make more contributions to the constructive strategic and stable relationship between China and the US.