China announced on Friday that they have launched two investigations into the trade practices of the United States in response to the procedures opened by Washington against Beijing, citing suspicions of forced labor.
These new Chinese investigations focus on alleged disruptions to global supply chains and the trade of “green products,” as stated by a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce in a statement. Such investigations could potentially lead to retaliatory trade measures such as tariffs. They are being conducted “in response to the two American investigations targeting China under section 301,” he said, referring to an American mechanism of punitive tariffs.
“Political manipulation”
The United States has announced in recent weeks commercial investigations targeting dozens of countries, including China, in the name of combating overcapacity and forced labor. These American actions could precede the establishment by the Trump administration of new tariffs against other countries, following the invalidation in February by the U.S. Supreme Court of most of those put in place during the return of the Republican billionaire to power in early 2025.
China had labeled these investigations conducted under section 301 as “political manipulation.” The Chinese Ministry of Commerce “will take necessary measures based on the results of the investigations and will firmly defend its legitimate rights and interests,” said its spokesperson in the statement. The two investigations are expected to “conclude within six months,” but could be extended by three months, he emphasized.
The White House announced that Donald Trump will visit Beijing on May 14 and 15. This visit was postponed for several weeks due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
