China's MOFCOM Responds to US Section 232 Tariffs on Drones and Components

At the regular press conference held on August 20, He Yadong, spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce, responded to a question regarding the US imposition of tariffs on drones. He said China has noted the US decision to impose 232 tariffs on drones and related components. China has consistently held that the US Section 232 measures amount to unilateralism and protectionism under the guise of "national security." In fact, China's drone exports to the United States are mainly used in civilian scenarios such as agriculture, equipment inspection, and film and entertainment.

He Yadong added that the US 232 measures overstate the concept of national security, impose differentiated tariff rates on trading partners, treat Chinese products in a discriminatory manner, seriously harm the interests of Chinese enterprises, disrupt the cooperative order of global drone supply chains, and further undermine a fair-competitive market environment. China firmly opposes these measures. China urges the United States to immediately revoke the 232 tariff measures.

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MOFCOM Responds to US "Shadow Transshipment Network" False Narrative

At the regular press conference held on August 20, He Yadong, spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce, stated that the US report "Massive Transshipment Scheme: Rise, Scale, and Cost" ignores facts and turns black into white, smearing normal international trade and investment as a "scheme" and fabricating the so-called "shadow transshipment network" narrative. This is a textbook example of unilateralism and protectionism intended to suppress and block Chinese products. China expresses strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition.

He Yadong said that, in fact, the US's high differentiated tariffs are the fundamental source of threats to global supply-chain security. By attributing its domestic economic problems to external factors, the United States will not resolve its deep-seated issues. China demands that the United States immediately stop making irresponsible accusations, stop undermining China-US economic and trade relations, and effectively safeguard the security and stability of global industrial and supply chains.

He Yadong noted that China has always abided by international economic and trade rules and will continue to engage in economic and trade cooperation with all parties on the basis of equality and mutual benefit, jointly building a "mutually beneficial and win-win trade network" and making a positive contribution to global development and prosperity.

MOFCOM: Opposes EU's Abuse of Unilateral Tools to Suppress Chinese Companies

At the regular press conference held on August 20, He Yadong, spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce, said China firmly opposes the EU's abuse of unilateral tools such as the Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR) to suppress Chinese enterprises. China hopes the EU will work in the same direction, swiftly correct its wrong practices in FSR investigations, and strengthen communication through government-to-government dialogue. China will closely monitor EU developments and take necessary measures to firmly safeguard national security and the legitimate rights and interests of enterprises.

Asked about China's issuance on August 19 of another prohibition order against the EU's use of the FSR to conduct cross-border investigations on Chinese entities, He Yadong said China issued its first prohibition order in May this year in the Nuctech case. Recently, the EU has again unreasonably demanded, in cases under the FSR, extensive amounts of China-based information that is unrelated to the investigation from relevant China-based institutions. On the basis of a thorough investigation, the relevant Chinese government departments, in accordance with the Rules of the People's Republic of China on Countering Improper Extraterritorial Application of Foreign Laws, found that the EU's relevant cross-border investigation measures in the FSR investigation of JD.com constituted improper extraterritorial jurisdiction measures against the Chinese entities concerned, and required that no organization or individual may implement or assist in implementing such measures.

(Source: Ministry of Commerce regular press conference, August 20, 2026)