Washington DC [US], October 25 (ANI): China on Saturday strongly opposed a US Trade Representative (USTR) probe into its compliance with the Phase One trade agreement, accusing Washington of escalating economic pressures and spreading false narratives that undermine bilateral ties.
“China firmly opposes the US’s false accusations and related review measures,” said Liu Pengyu, spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in the US, in a post on X. The statement came hours after the USTR announced the initiation of a Section 301 investigation to scrutinize whether Beijing has fully honored its commitments under the Economic and Trade Agreement signed during US President Donald Trump’s first term.
“China, as a major country that takes its responsibilities seriously, has scrupulously fulfilled its obligations in the Phase One Economic and Trade Agreement by protecting intellectual property, increasing imports, and providing greater market access, creating a favorable business environment for investors of all countries, including US companies,” Liu said.
The Phase One deal, effective since 2020, required China to implement structural reforms in areas such as intellectual property, technology transfer, agriculture, and financial services, while committing to boost purchases of US goods and services to address the trade deficit.
USTR Jamieson Greer, in announcing the probe, highlighted concerns over non-tariff barriers, limited market access, and purchase shortfalls despite repeated US engagements. “President Trump made history in his first term when he stood up for the American worker and brokered the Phase One Agreement, establishing a more fair and reciprocal trade relationship with China,” he said.
Greer added, “The initiation of this investigation underscores the Trump Administration’s resolve to hold China to its Phase One commitments, protect American farmers, ranchers, workers, and innovators, and establish a more reciprocal trade relationship for the benefit of the American people.”
The investigation, authorized under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, will assess any burdens on US commerce from alleged non-implementation and potential remedies, including tariffs. Public comments are invited by December 1, 2025, with a hearing scheduled for December 16, 2025.
China, in response, accused the US of “systematically escalating economic and other forms of pressure against China” since the deal, citing export controls, investment restrictions, and “false narratives” on human rights, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Xinjiang, and COVID-19. “These actions have done serious damage to China-US ties as well as economic and trade relations, disrupted normal trade and investment activities, and significantly undermined the conditions necessary for the implementation of the Agreement,” Liu said.
Beijing urged Washington to “promptly correct its wrong practices” and adhere to recent phone conversations between Presidents Xi Jinping and Trump. China called for addressing concerns through bilateral consultations “based on mutual respect and equal-footed dialogue,” aiming for “stable, sound, and sustainable development of the China-US economic and trade relationship.”
The US move comes just before top economic officials from both nations are set to meet in Kuala Lumpur to prevent further escalation of the trade war and ensure a planned meeting between US President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. “These talks on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit will chart a path forward after Trump threatened new 100% tariffs on Chinese goods,” The Sun reported. (ANI)
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