MOFCOM Responds to Progress in China-US Economic and Trade Consultations and Other Hot Topics

MOFCOM spokesperson He Yadong responded to questions on the latest progress in China-US economic and trade consultations, countermeasures against the US side's addition of a so-called "Chinese Military Companies List," and recent visits to China by Japanese business figures, at a regular press conference held on the 25th.

Regarding progress on tariffs in the China-US trade consultations, He Yadong stated that in line with the consensus reached in the China-US economic and trade consultations, both sides have agreed to establish a Trade Council, under which reciprocal tariff reductions and other cooperation will be discussed. The two economic and trade teams will conduct further consultations on these matters.

He said that trade cooperation between China and the US in the aircraft and agricultural products sectors is mutually beneficial and a win-win. Both teams will continue to maintain communication, encourage and guide their respective enterprises to strengthen engagement and expand trade cooperation in related sectors.

Addressing the egregious practice of the US government adding entities to a so-called "Chinese Military Companies List," He Yadong noted that China's Ministry of Commerce issued an announcement on June 22, lawfully adding 10 US entities including AeroVironment to the export control list, prohibiting exports of dual-use items to them. On the same day, the Ministry of Finance issued a notice stipulating that, in government procurement activities, products manufactured by 46 US enterprises must not be procured.

"The US government's addition of a so-called 'Chinese Military Companies List' seriously harms the legitimate and lawful rights and interests of Chinese enterprises. China has no choice but to take countermeasures. The aforementioned US enterprises are all military-related companies. We urge the US side to immediately cease the wrong practice, move in the same direction as China, and strive to maintain and develop the constructive strategic stability of China-US relations," He said.

With respect to recent visits to China by Japanese business figures, He Yadong said that China continues to expand high-level opening-up, fostering a market-oriented, law-based and internationalized first-class business environment, and conducting mutually beneficial and win-win economic and trade exchanges and cooperation with countries around the world, sharing development opportunities. Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae's erroneous remarks on Taiwan have seriously undermined the political foundation of China-Japan relations and brought a serious negative impact on China-Japan economic and trade cooperation.

"We hope that Japan's business community, in light of its own interests, will urge the Japanese government to genuinely reflect on and correct its mistakes, creating conditions for the economic and trade cooperation between the two countries to return to a healthy development track," He said.