China Retaliates with New Tariffs on U.S. Imports

In a significant escalation of the ongoing trade dispute, China's Ministry of Commerce announced on March 4 the imposition of an additional 15% tariff on certain U.S. imports. This decision is a direct response to the United States' recent 10% tariff on Chinese goods, further intensifying the trade tensions between the two global economic powers.

Impact on U.S. Agricultural and Food Products

The new tariffs will significantly impact U.S. exports to China, including chicken, wheat, corn, and cotton. Additionally, a 10% tariff will be applied to sorghum, soybeans, pork, beef, seafood, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products, posing a considerable challenge to U.S. farmers and exporters.

China's Formal Complaint to the WTO

China has also lodged a formal complaint against the U.S. with the World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement mechanism. The Ministry of Commerce criticized the U.S. tariff measures as a serious violation of WTO regulations, undermining the foundation of economic and trade cooperation between the two nations. China's stance is clear: it will firmly protect its legitimate rights and interests in accordance with WTO rules and uphold the multilateral trading system.

Export Control Measures

In addition to the tariffs, China has decided to add 15 U.S. entities, including the defense contractor Leidos, to its export control list. This move, justified by the Export Control Law of the People's Republic of China and related regulations, aims to safeguard national security and interests and fulfill international obligations such as non-proliferation.