The spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce responded to questions from journalists regarding the announcement by the U.S. Trade Representative's Office to launch a Section 301 investigation into 60 economies, including China, citing "failure to prohibit import of products made with forced labor."

The spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce commented on the announcement of the office of the United States Trade Representative to launch a 301 investigation into 60 economies, including China, on the grounds of "not banning the import of products made through forced labor." Currently, China and the United States are holding a new round of economic and trade negotiations in Paris, France, and China has raised concerns with the US. We urge the US to immediately correct its wrong actions, work with China in a cooperative manner, adhere to principles of mutual respect and equal consultation, and find solutions through dialogue and negotiations. We will closely monitor the progress of the US investigation, reserve the right to take all necessary measures, and firmly defend our legitimate rights and interests. Question: On March 12th, the Office of the United States Trade Representative announced the launch of a 301 investigation into 60 economies, including China, on the grounds of "not banning the import of products made through forced labor." What is China's response to this? China has noted that on March 12th, the US launched a 301 investigation into 60 economies, including China, on the grounds of "not banning the import of products made through forced labor." This is another 301 investigation launched by the US following the "overcapacity" 301 investigation on March 11th. Previously, the US fabricated facts and implemented a series of trade restrictions on China under the pretext of "forced labor," to which China has expressed its strong stance multiple times. China has always opposed forced labor, is a founding member of the International Labour Organization, has ratified 28 international labor conventions, established a comprehensive system of labor laws and regulations, and resolutely prevents and combats forced labor practices. The US has not ratified the 1930 Forced Labour Convention, refuses to be bound by international rules, but has long manipulated the issue of "forced labor." This 301 investigation against China and related economies by the US attempts to construct trade barriers, displaying unilateral, arbitrary, and discriminatory characteristics, and is a typical act of protectionism. WTO experts have already ruled that the US tariffs on China under Section 301 violate WTO rules, and the US once again abusing the 301 investigation process, placing domestic law above international rules, is compounding mistakes and seriously disrupting the security and stability of global supply chains, and seriously disturbing the international economic and trade order. Currently, China and the US are holding a new round of economic and trade negotiations in Paris, France, and China has raised concerns with the US. We urge the US to immediately correct its wrong actions, work with China in a cooperative manner, adhere to principles of mutual respect and equal consultation, and find solutions through dialogue and negotiations. We will closely monitor the progress of the US investigation, reserve the right to take all necessary measures, and firmly defend our legitimate rights and interests. This article is excerpted from the Ministry of Commerce, GMTEight, edited by: Li Fo.