China has urged the United States to revoke all relevant unilateral tariff measures and address bilateral trade concerns through dialogue and consultation after Washington imposed an additional tariff of 12.5 percent on Chinese goods under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, the Ministry of Commerce said on Monday.
Washington's move, taken under the pretext of "forced labor", is a typical act of unilateralism and protectionism, a spokesperson with the ministry said, stressing that China firmly opposes the move.
China has consistently opposed forced labor, established a comprehensive system of labor laws and regulations, and taken firm steps to prevent and combat such practices, the spokesperson said.
The US, by contrast, has yet to ratify the Forced Labour Convention of 1930 and has long manipulated the issue of "forced labor", the spokesperson added.
Washington has repeatedly said it intends to use Section 301 duties to replace tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act that were struck down by the US Supreme Court, as well as the Section 122 import surcharge, the spokesperson said.
