China’s Ministry of Commerce said it would file a legal case against the United States at the World Trade Organization (WTO), in response to President Trump’s decision Saturday to impose 10 percent tariffs on Chinese goods.
In a statement, the ministry’s spokesperson vowed further “countermeasures” against the United States but did not specify what steps it would take.
“The unilateral tariff increase by the United States seriously violates WTO rules,” the statement, translated into English, read. “It is not only unhelpful in solving its own problems, but also undermines the normal economic and trade cooperation between China and the United States.”
“China will file a lawsuit with the WTO for the wrong practices of the United States and will take corresponding countermeasures to firmly safeguard its own rights and interests,” the statement continued.
On Saturday, Trump made good on a long-standing campaign promise to impose 25 percent tariffs on Mexican and Canadian goods and 10 percent tariffs on Chinese goods.
A White House spokesperson said imposing the tariffs “holds these countries accountable for stopping illegal immigration and the flow of dangerous drugs like fentanyl.”
In response, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said in its statement that China “is strongly dissatisfied with this and firmly opposes it” and urged the U.S. to handle the issue “rationally” and meet China “halfway.”
“China hopes that the US will objectively and rationally view and deal with its own problems such as fentanyl, instead of threatening other countries with tariffs,” the Chinese spokesperson said in the statement. “China urges the US to correct its wrong practices, work with China halfway, face problems, have frank dialogues, strengthen cooperation, and manage differences on the basis of equality, mutual benefit and mutual respect.”
The WTO has largely lost its ability to try legal cases since Trump blocked the appointment of judges in his first term. The body can still compile reports on cases.
