On April 11, Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao and WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala had a video call, in which the two sides exchanged views on issues including response to the so-called “reciprocal tariffs” imposed by the U.S., safeguarding the multilateral trading system, and giving play to the role of the WTO.

Wang Wentao said that the continuous introduction of tariff measures by the U.S. has brought great uncertainty and instability to the world, triggering chaos both in the international community and within the United States. The U.S. has fabricated “reciprocal tariffs” out of thin air, which is a typical unilateral bullying practice. It will cause great harm to developing countries, especially the least developed countries, and even lead to humanitarian crisis.

Wang Wentao emphasized that the U.S. “reciprocal tariffs” are in serious violation of the most basic and core WTO rules including the Most-Favored Nation (MFN) treatment, non-discrimination and bound rate, blowing the international economic and trade order and shaking the foundation of the multilateral trading system. China has taken decisive countermeasures, not only to safeguard its own legitimate rights and interests, but also to safeguard fairness and justice in the international community.

Wang Wentao pointed out that it is natural for WTO members to have economic and trade differences, and that solutions to their respective concerns should be found through consultations on the basis of mutual respect and equality. At present, WTO members should be united to counteract unilateralism, protectionism and bullying with open cooperation and multilateralism. China would, as always, firmly uphold WTO rules, fully and deeply engage in WTO reform, and safeguard an open, inclusive, transparent and non-discriminatory multilateral trading system.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said that the continuous escalation of trade tensions has posed a great challenge to prospects of global trade and economic growth. WTO members should work together to defend an open and rules-based multilateral trading system and properly resolve differences through dialogue and cooperation under the WTO framework. The outcome of the consultations between parties concerned and the U.S. should comply with the WTO principle of MFN treatment.