China opposes new US tariffs, warns against trade wars, restrics export to 14 EU entities

BEIJING, July 24: China on Friday strongly criticized fresh US tariffs imposed on Chinese goods over alleged forced labour concerns, while also announcing export restrictions on 14 European Union companies in response to new EU sanctions targeting Chinese and Hong Kong entities.

The United States introduced new tariffs ranging from 10 to 12.5 percent on imports from 60 countries, with China facing the highest 12.5-percent rate. The measures replace a temporary global duty introduced earlier this year by President Donald Trump after the Supreme Court struck down several of his previous tariffs.

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said Washington was "rigorously" enforcing its ban on imports linked to forced labour and urged trading partners to adopt similar measures. Countries that have already implemented forced labour import bans, including Canada, the European Union and the United Kingdom, received the lower 10-percent tariff rate, while major trading partners such as India and Japan were subjected to the higher 12.5-percent levy.

Responding to the move, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian condemned the tariffs, saying Beijing "opposes all forms of unilateral tariff measures."

"Tariff wars and trade wars are not in the interests of any party," Lin said, warning the United States against escalating trade tensions.

Meanwhile, China also announced export controls on 14 European Union companies, citing national security concerns and accusing the bloc of taking hostile actions against Chinese firms.�" AFP