China lodges WTO trade complaint against US

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China had lodged a complaint against the United States with the World Trade Organization (WTO), a day after new tariffs imposed by Washington on billions of dollars of Chinese goods came into force.

The world’s two biggest economies have been embroiled in a bruising year-long trade war which escalated further when both sides moved ahead with fresh tit-for-tat levy hikes. Referring to trade discussions in the Japanese city in June, Beijing’s commerce ministry said, these American tariffs seriously violate the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries in Osaka.

In a statement published on its website, the Ministry said, in accordance with relevant WTO rules, China will firmly safeguard its legitimate rights and interests. It has lodged complaint with the WTO body for dispute settlement. 

Washington’s latest levies on imports from China took effect from 1st of September as it stepped up a high-pressure campaign aimed at compelling Beijing to sign a new trade deal. The trade dispute has rattled markets and hit growth across the globe, and trade negotiations between the two countries have been at an impasse for months.