Beijing: China is “strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposed” to Washington’s finalised plans to increase tariffs on a range of key Chinese industries, from electric vehicles and photovoltaic cells to semiconductors. “The United States should immediately correct its wrong practices and cancel all tariff increases on China,” the Ministry of Commerce said over the weekend in response to the US announcement. “China will take necessary measures to resolutely defend the interests of Chinese enterprises.” The ministry said Washington’s decision would not only seriously undermine the “international trade order” and “global industrial chain and supply chain”, but also failed to address the US trade deficit and industrial competitiveness. “[The actions will] push up the prices of US imports, with the costs ultimately borne by US businesses and consumers,” it added. The comments followed the US Trade Representative’s (USTR) announcement on Friday confirming tariffs ranging from 25 per cent to 100 per cent on hundreds of products. The tariffs were proposed by the White House in May and vetted by the USTR as part of a review under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. According to the USTR’s report, duties on Chinese EVs will quadruple to 100 per cent, and a 25 per cent tariff will apply to Chinese EV batteries, with both taking effect in two weeks. Chinese lithium-ion batteries not used for EVs will also have a 25 per cent tariff from 2026. Semiconductors and solar cells – two other key sectors in China’s move up the industrial chain – will also be subject to 50 per cent tariffs starting next year and this year respectively. In addition, 100 per cent duties will apply to some medical products, including syringes, needles and medical gloves. News Agency
Tariffs on ship-to-shore cranes will rise to 25 per cent.
