Commerce Minister Wang Wentao expressed China’s strong dissatisfaction on Wednesday over the United States’ 10 per cent additional tariff on Chinese goods, warning that the unilateral move had damaged bilateral relations
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He raised the issue in a letter to newly appointed US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, calling for bilateral differences to be solved through fair and constructive dialogue.
“As the world’s two largest economies, stronger trade cooperation between the two nations is crucial for their own growth and global economic stability,” a ministry news release quoted Wang as saying in the letter.
“Economic and trade relations are a key pillar of US-China ties. China is willing to work with the US to enhance dialogue, manage differences and foster cooperation on the basis of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and shared benefits.”
Washington imposed a 10 per cent tariff on Chinese imports in early February, citing efforts to curb the flow of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid used as a recreational drug that claims thousands of American lives a year. Washington has accused China of exporting precursor chemicals used in its production.
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Wang criticised the tariff measure, arguing that Beijing and Washington had already made substantial progress on fentanyl control through extensive cooperation.