The Ministry of Commerce Photo: VCG

China on Wednesday announced four separate measures against the US, including raising tariffs on US products, adding US entities to relevant lists and filing lawsuit at the WTO, shortly after the US imposed additional tariffs on China. 

The almost simultaneous announcements of the strong measures fully demonstrate that China will never be intimidated by coercion or cowed by pressure, a Chinese trade expert said.    

China will raise additional tariffs for imported goods originating in the US to 84 percent from 34 percent from Thursday, the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council announced Wednesday.

The move came after on April 8, the US further increased the so-called "reciprocal tariffs" on Chinese products exported to the US to 84 percent from 34 percent. 

The US escalation of tariffs against China is a mistake on top of a mistake; it seriously infringes upon China's legitimate rights and interests and gravely undermines the rules based multilateral trading system, said the commission.

China urges the US to immediately correct its wrong practices, cancel all unilateral tariff measures against China, and properly resolve differences with China through equal dialogue on the basis of mutual respect, the commission said. 

Also on Wednesday, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) announced the addition of 12 US entities to the export control list.

In order to safeguard national security and interests and fulfill international obligations such as non-proliferation, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Export Control Law of China and the regulations on export control of dual-use items, the MOFCOM said it has 12 US entities in the export control list and prohibit the export of dual-use items to them. 

These entities may engage in activities that may endanger China's national security and interests, and any export operator shall not violate the above provisions, a spokesperson from the MOFCOM said. 

In a separate statement, the MOFCOM announced to add six US firms, which include Shield AI, Inc, Sierra Nevada Corporation, Cyberlux Corporation, and Edge Autonomy Operations LLC, to its unreliable entity list, effective from Thursday, in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.

A spokesperson of the MOFCOM stated that these firms, in disregard of strong opposition from China, have either participated in arms sales to China's Taiwan region or have undertaken so-called military technology cooperation with the island, seriously harming China's national sovereignty, security, and development interests. China will hold them accountable according to relevant laws and regulations, the ministry said.

Also on Wednesday, a spokesperson for the MOFCOM announced that China has filed a lawsuit against the US over the US' latest tariff measures under the WTO dispute settlement mechanism.

The US tariff measures seriously violated WTO rules, and the 50 percent tariff increase is a mistake on top of a mistake, highlighting the unilateral bullying nature of the US measures, the MOFCOM said.

China will firmly defend its legitimate rights and interests in accordance with WTO rules, and firmly safeguard the multilateral trading system and the international economic and trade order, the MOFCOM said.

"China's countermeasures underscore the country's resolute stance against the US' trade protectionism and unilateralism, while demonstrating its firm commitment to upholding the fundamental principles of the multilateral trading system and safeguarding its developmental interests," Cui Fan, a professor at the University of International Business and Economics, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

"The Chinese people will never be intimidated by coercion or cowed by pressure," Cui said, while adding that "China is committed to deepening reforms and pursuing high-level institutional opening-up. It stands ready to work with all countries to advance inclusive and mutually beneficial economic globalization."

Global Times