China has lodged an additional complaint to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) regarding the United States' proposed tariffs on $200 billion (S$272 billion) worth of Chinese imports. These tariff hikes targeting Chinese goods were based on Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, its domestic trade law. The US unilaterally launched a Section 301 investigation against China last year despite opposition from China and the international community.
It released an investigation report in March, and imposed tariffs on US$34 billion worth of Chinese goods on July 6 in disregard of 91 per cent opposition in the comments it received.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration also retaliated against the unjustified tariffs imposed by China in response to US steel and aluminum duties. The US Trade Representative launched formal challenges at the WTO against China, the European Union, Canada, Mexico and Turkey for retaliating against steel and aluminum tariffs.
