CHINA suspended tariff concessions on 128 items of U.S. products including pork and fruit starting yesterday, according to the Ministry of Finance.

The Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council has decided to impose a tariff of 15 percent on 120 items of products imported from the United States, including fruit and related products, and a tariff of 25 percent on eight items of imports including pork and related products from the country, according to a statement posted on the ministry website.

The statement said it was a countermeasure in response to a previous U.S. move to slap tariffs on steel and aluminum imports.

Despite worldwide objections, the U.S. administration decided last month to impose a 25-percent tariff on steel imports and a 10-percent tariff on aluminum, with tariffs on imports from countries including China.

Although in violation of WTO rules, the U.S. measure went into effect March 23, which has severely undermined China’s interests, according to the statement.

China advocates and supports a multilateral trade system, the ministry said, noting that to suspend tariff concessions on U.S. imports is a just move to safeguard China’s interests using WTO rules.

Also yesterday, the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) urged the United States to revoke protectionist measures that violate WTO rules.

The trade measures that target just a small number of countries abuse the security exception clause of WTO rules and go against the principle of non-discrimination in multilateral trade, the ministry said in an online statement.

To balance losses caused by the move, the ministry proposed countermeasures on U.S. products worth US$3 billion March 23 and solicited public opinion.

“People expressed widespread support via telephone and email for the countermeasures, with some even suggesting stronger measures,” said the statement.

China has acted in restraint to avoid confrontation with the United States, with measures to increase imports and widen market access, but to no avail.

The two sides have failed to reach a consensus as the United States declined to respond to China’s requests through the WTO for consultation, the MOC said.

“As a WTO member, China has the right not to meet some former obligations to the United States.”

Despite the frictions, China maintains its stance on economic cooperation for mutual development.

“Cooperation is the only valid option for China and the United States,” the ministry said, calling for dialogue and consultation to address the concerns of both sides, realize common development, and work to prevent more harm to the broader picture of China-U.S. cooperation.

(Xinhua)