Beijing warns US against taking ‘discriminatory action’ after reports of new trade ban on cars with Chinese technology
China warned the United States on Monday not to take “discriminatory action” against its companies, following reports that Washington is planning to ban the sale of vehicles using Chinese and Russian technology.
Bloomberg and other media reported on Sunday, citing sources, that the United States is considering new regulations that would ban Hardware and software made in China from your own means.
Asked about the reports, foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said China called on “the United States to respect market principles and create an open, fair, transparent and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises.”
“China opposes the United States’ expansion of the concept of national security and discriminatory actions against Chinese companies and products,” Lin said.
“China will resolutely defend its legitimate rights and interests,” he added.
If confirmed, the rules would mark the latest escalation in the simmering trade dispute between the United States and China.
In May, Washington announced steep tariff increases on Chinese imports such as electric vehicles and semiconductors.
The White House said the tariff hike would affect $18 billion worth of imports from China, targeting strategic sectors such as electric vehicles, batteries, critical minerals and medical products.
Tariffs on electric vehicles will quadruple to 100 percent this year while tariffs on semiconductors will jump from 25 percent to 50 percent next year.
Those plans were finalized this month, ahead of the November presidential election, when both Democrats and Republicans sought to take a tough stance on China as competition between the two countries intensifies.
The tariff increase on $18 billion worth of goods comes after a review of tariffs imposed under then-President Donald Trump, which affected about $300 billion in goods from China.
In addition to the tariff hikes, including those on solar panels, the Office of the US Trade Representative confirmed that a 50 percent tariff on semiconductors — a sharp increase from before — will begin in 2025.
US President Joe Biden has accused Beijing of “cheating” rather than competing on trade.
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