China’s Ministry of Commerce has strongly opposed a recent report released by the office of the United States Trade Representative, claiming it has distorted the development of China’s market economy and denied its contributions to the multilateral trading system and global economic growth. The 2022 Report to Congress on China’s WTO Compliance accuses China of using economic and trade policies to pose challenges to multilateral trade rules, the ministry said, but countered the US is ignoring China’s significant achievements in fulfilling its WTO commitments.
The US report uses its own definition of “market economy” to judge other WTO members, lacks legal and factual basis and shows the country’s unilateralism and bullying behavior, the ministry said in an online statement. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce has expressed its strong opposition to these claims and stated that they are not based on facts and lack legal basis. China has always been committed to the multilateral trading system and has played a significant role in promoting the growth and development of the global economy. China’s economic policies have always been in compliance with the WTO rules, and it has made significant progress in improving its legal framework, expanding high-level institutional opening-up, and enhancing policy transparency.
China has continuously fulfilled its WTO commitments, improved its socialist market economy, and legal framework, expanded high-level institutional opening-up, enhanced policy transparency, and actively participated in WTO reform negotiations and activities, the ministry added. However, the US has recently engaged in unilateral trade bullying, manipulated industry policy, and disrupted global industrial and supply chains, severely undermining the authority and effectiveness of the multilateral trading system.
The Chinese Ministry of Commerce has urged the US to correct its erroneous words and actions, abide by WTO rules and commitments, and play its role in maintaining the authority, integrity, and effectiveness of the multilateral trading system. The Chinese government has always been committed to promoting fair and open trade and creating a level playing field for all WTO members. It has also been actively involved in global efforts to reform the WTO and enhance its effectiveness. Therefore, the Chinese government remains optimistic that the multilateral trading system will continue to serve as a cornerstone of global economic growth and development.