China: US trade probe is protectionism

BEIJING: The US decision to investigate Chinese trade practices amounts to protectionism, China said yesterday, adding that Beijing will “resolutely defend” its enterprises.

The US trade probe “is a sabotage to the current international trade system” and discourages the development of trade relations between the two countries, Commerce Ministry spokesman Gao Feng said during a press briefing in Beijing.

“We are strongly dissatisfied with the unilateral and protectionist practice and will take all necessary measures to resolutely defend the legitimate rights and interests of the Chinese side and enterprises,” he added.

Last week, US President Donald Trump signed an order asking US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to determine whether the country’s trade with China – including China’s alleged theft of US intellectual property – warrants investigation. The probe is supposed to also look into US companies being required to transfer technology in order to receive access to the Chinese market.

US companies say they were blocked or hampered from competing equally in Chinese industries – including securities, insurance, healthcare, movies, biotech and electric cars – according to a report released earlier this year by a US business group.

Lighthizer’s probe could result in sanctions being imposed on China, which Beijing said would have repercussions. – dpa