China opposes unilateralism, trade protectionism, advocates for free trade

Chinese Vice-Minister of Commerce Ling Ji said on Tuesday that China has consistently defended multilateralism and free trade while firmly opposing unilateralism and trade protectionism.

Speaking at the "Invest in China" foreign investment policy briefing in Tokyo, Ling, who also serves as deputy China international trade representative, said that the recent so-called "reciprocal tariffs" proposed by the US President Donald Trump's administration, along with increased tariffs on global steel, aluminum, automobiles and other product imports, have severely damaged the rules-based multilateral trading system and disrupted the stability of global industrial and supply chains.

He highlighted that the "America First Investment Policy" presidential memorandum issued by Trump further restricted two-way investment between China and the United States.

Additionally, a proposal was unveiled to impose hefty fees on Chinese-built ships calling at US ports, aiming to undermine China's shipbuilding industry and disrupt global transportation, thereby escalating tensions in global trade and investment, he said.

"China and Japan are both beneficiaries and strong advocates of free trade. We should take a clear stance against unilateralism and (trade) protectionism and firmly uphold WTO rules and the international economic and trade order."