China has sharply criticized the U.S. policy of imposing “reciprocal tariffs,” labeling it as a one-sided and misleading approach rooted in flawed logic. It urged Washington to uphold World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and contribute to the stability of the global trading system.
Speaking at a WTO Council for Trade in Services meeting on Friday, the Chinese delegation highlighted that the U.S. focuses narrowly on goods trade while ignoring the services sector, resulting in a distorted and unbalanced narrative.
The delegation noted that the U.S. enjoys substantial services trade surpluses with its key trading partners, amounting to nearly $300 billion in 2024 alone.
It added that by dominating high-value-added segments of global trade—such as R&D, branding, and sales—the U.S. secures far greater gains than what conventional trade statistics suggest.
China urged the U.S. not to apply double standards when it comes to WTO rules, stressing that the global trade framework should benefit all members equally, especially developing nations.
The delegation also mentioned that China and the U.S. have reached several understandings through equal consultations, which have helped to ease tensions.
However, it emphasized that any bilateral negotiations must align with WTO rules, respect the principle of non-discrimination, and avoid harming the interests of third-party countries.
China reiterated its call for all WTO members to resolve trade concerns multilaterally within the WTO system, rather than relying on unilateral actions.
It also underlined the urgency of accelerating WTO reforms to enhance an open, stable, and predictable multilateral trading environment.
China’s position gained broad support from WTO members, including both developed countries like the EU, Australia, and Canada, and developing nations such as Brazil and Pakistan.
These members stressed that services trade is a key driver of future global commerce, vital for economic resilience and the integrity of international supply chains.
They called for collective efforts to strengthen dialogue and cooperation, ensuring sustainable and balanced growth in global trade.
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