China’s Ministry of Commerce announced plans to take legal action against the United States at the World Trade Organization (WTO) in response to President Donald Trump’s decision to impose 10% tariffs on Chinese goods.
In a statement, a ministry spokesperson condemned the tariff increase, stating it violates WTO rules and disrupts trade relations between the two countries. While the spokesperson did not specify the exact countermeasures China would take, they confirmed that China would file a lawsuit with the WTO and take actions to protect its rights and interests.
The move comes after Trump followed through on a campaign promise, imposing 25% tariffs on Mexican and Canadian goods and 10% on Chinese imports. A White House spokesperson argued that the tariffs were necessary to hold these countries accountable for issues like illegal immigration and the fentanyl trade.
China expressed strong dissatisfaction with the decision, urging the U.S. to approach the matter rationally and resolve issues like fentanyl domestically rather than using tariffs as leverage. The Chinese statement called for cooperation, dialogue, and the correction of U.S. practices, emphasizing mutual respect and benefit in addressing differences.
However, the WTO’s ability to adjudicate cases has been limited since Trump blocked the appointment of judges during his first term, though the organization can still produce reports on legal disputes.
