China Criticizes US "Reciprocal Tariff" Measures at WTO

GENEVA, Oct 3 – The World Trade Organization (WTO) convened the third annual meeting of the Council for Trade in Services in Geneva, Switzerland, on the 3rd. China proactively tabled an agenda item to expose and criticize the unilateral and protectionist nature of the US "reciprocal tariffs," pointing out that US restrictive measures are having negative spillover effects on global trade in services. China called on the United States to earnestly abide by WTO rules and work with all members to promote the healthy and stable development of global trade in services.

In its submitted position paper titled "The Shared Responsibility of WTO Members to Strengthen and Stabilize Global Trade in Services," China stated that trade in services is becoming an important engine driving global trade growth, bringing more opportunities for developing countries to integrate into global value chains. The US "reciprocal tariff" measures have triggered global trade turbulence, and their negative impact has already spilled over into the services trade sector.

China emphasized that the United States holds the top position globally in the scale of services trade imports and exports and has long been the world's largest surplus country in services trade. However, the US side intentionally adopts a one-sided and misleading narrative, only discussing "losses" in goods trade while avoiding talk of "gains" in services trade, which is a typical "double standard" practice. Currently, the US unilateral measures are undermining global business confidence, disrupting global supply chains, and severely infringing upon the legitimate interests of members and the foundation of the multilateral trading system. All parties should remain vigilant against this.

China urged the US to earnestly comply with WTO rules, strengthen dialogue and cooperation with all parties, and jointly safeguard the prosperity and stability of global trade in services. China stands ready to work with all members to continuously deepen the level of openness in the services trade sector and contribute more to the healthy and stable development of global trade in services.

Members including India, Brazil, Egypt, and Pakistan actively echoed China's statement. They emphasized that the multilateral trading system provides an essential foundational framework for the operation of global trade, and that an open, inclusive, stable, and non-discriminatory multilateral trade order is crucial for the sustainable development of all countries. The services sector is a vital component of global supply chains and represents the future of global trade. All parties should uphold the spirit of consultation and cooperation, ensure the stability and predictability of regulatory policies, and jointly promote the healthy and stable development of global trade.