BEIJING (AP) — Beijing initiated a pair of trade investigations targeting American commercial practices on Friday, demonstrating China’s determination to retaliate against President Donald Trump’s tariff policies before his scheduled May visit.
The Commerce Ministry announced these new examinations as a direct counter to two trade probes that Trump revealed earlier this month, which target multiple nations including China.
According to a ministry announcement, the dual Chinese investigations were initiated to protect the interests of affected Chinese sectors and demonstrated “firm opposition” to the U.S. examinations.
The first investigation will scrutinize American policies that block Chinese products from accessing U.S. markets and restrict American exports of cutting-edge technology to China. The second probe will focus on obstacles facing Chinese renewable energy exports.
Ministry officials indicated the investigations are scheduled to last six months, with the possibility of a three-month extension if required.
These Chinese probes represent the most recent exchange in an extended trade dispute and may serve as negotiating tools to counter potential new American tariffs.
After the U.S. Supreme Court overturned several of Trump’s previous tariffs, he responded by initiating what are called Section 301 trade examinations.
One such examination is investigating claims of surplus industrial production capacity — which can boost exports — and government subsidies that might provide companies in China and other nations with unfair advantages over American businesses.
This investigation, which encompasses 16 trade partners including the European Union, may result in increased tariffs on imports from these regions.
The second investigation, covering numerous countries including China, could prohibit imports of products manufactured through forced labor.
During recent discussions with the United States in Paris, China’s trade representative cautioned that the American investigations might jeopardize the carefully maintained stability in economic relationships between both nations.
These discussions were intended to prepare for Trump’s Beijing visit, originally scheduled for next week. The American president has postponed the trip due to the conflict in Iran.
