Chinese Commerce Ministry Calls U.S. Forced Labor Product Probe "Typical Protectionism"

Investigation Launched Based on Trade Law Section 301

China to Raise the Issue with the U.S. Through Negotiations

Criticism of "Distorted Facts"

Wang Wentao, Minister of Commerce of China, is attending a press conference related to the 4th session of the 14th National People's Congress held in Beijing on the 6th. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

The administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump has launched an investigation into "products made with forced labor" targeting China and other countries, citing Section 301 of its domestic trade law. In response, the Chinese government has objected, calling the move "a typical act of protectionism."

According to a statement released on its website on the 16th (local time), China's Ministry of Commerce criticized the U.S. measure as "a highly unilateral, arbitrary, and discriminatory action aimed at building trade barriers." The Ministry added, "We have raised the issue with the U.S. through negotiations." In diplomatic contexts, China uses the term "raise negotiations" when filing formal complaints or objections.

The United States has been pursuing new tariffs to replace those nullified by a ruling of the Supreme Court. As a result, it has launched investigations based on Section 301 of its domestic trade law, focusing on issues such as overproduction and the importation of products made with forced labor. The investigation into the import of products made with forced labor is being conducted across approximately 60 countries, including Korea, China, and Japan. On the 12th, Jamieson Greer, a representative of the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), stated that the current investigation concerns the failure to properly impose and enforce bans on the importation of goods produced through forced labor.

China maintains that these measures are based on distorted facts. The Ministry of Commerce emphasized, "The United States has repeatedly imposed trade restrictions on China citing forced labor," and added, "China has already clarified its firm position on multiple occasions." The Ministry further stated, "China has consistently opposed forced labor." It also pointed out that China has been a member of the International Labour Organization (ILO) since its inception and has ratified international labor conventions. In contrast, the United States has not joined the "1930 Forced Labour Convention," yet continues to unilaterally raise forced labor issues.

China also mentioned that high-level trade negotiations between the U.S. and China are underway in Paris, France, ahead of President Trump's visit to China scheduled from March 31 to April 2. The Ministry of Commerce reiterated, "China has already raised the issue with the United States through negotiations," and urged, "The United States must immediately correct its wrongful approach." The Ministry also called for "resolving the issue through dialogue and negotiation based on mutual respect and equality," adding, "China will firmly defend its legitimate rights and interests."

China's Ministry of Commerce had also objected on the 13th to the U.S. Section 301 investigation regarding overproduction, denouncing it as "a typical unilateral act that undermines the international trade order." China stated that it is closely monitoring the situation and reserves the right to respond in order to protect its interests.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.