Trump Tariff Trade War, China Complains America To WTO

UNSPLASH/Klian Murphy ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - China filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) Dispute Settlement Agency over the recent increase in US rates.

"China has filed a complaint based on the WTO dispute resolution mechanism over the latest US rate increase against Chinese goods," read a statement from the Chinese Ministry of Trade, reported by ANTARA from Sputnik-OANA, Wednesday, April 9.

The additional 50 percent tariff imposed by the US seriously violates the WTO rules, and emphasizes the "silateral and intimidating" nature of the action.

"China will strictly protect its legitimate rights and interests in accordance with WTO rules, and will firmly enforce the multilateral trading system and economic order and international trade," the statement continued.

Earlier on Tuesday (8/4), White House Press Secretary Krypto Leavitt confirmed the US would start charging 104 percent on Chinese goods starting Wednesday after Beijing missed a deadline set by President Donald Trump to lift retaliatory measures.

Meanwhile, on Friday (4/4) earlier, China's State Council announced the imposition of an additional 34 percent tariff on all goods imported from the US.

In response, Trump said on Monday (7/4) he would raise China's import rate by 50 percent, effective from April 9, unless Beijing cancels its return rate no later than Tuesday.

On April 2, Trump signed an executive order imposing reciprocal rates on US trading partners, covering a rate of 34 percent on China, 20 percent on the European Union, and 24 percent on Japanese imports.

Trump also signed an executive order imposing a 25 percent tariff on cars, light trucks and foreign-made auto parts, saying the action was necessary to protect "national security."