China - February 28, 2025 China urges US to halt tariff probe into copper imports (Voice_over) China's Ministry of Commerce has urged the US to halt its tariff probe into copper imports. The ministry said that China has labeled the U.S. decision to launch a Section 232 investigation into copper imports as an unreasonable act. Ministry officials say this move, under the pretext of national security, is yet another example of unilateralism and protectionism by the United States. They added that it undermines the rules-based multilateral trading system and disrupts global supply chain stability. The U.S. announced on Tuesday an investigation into copper imports, claiming China is using state subsidies and overcapacity to distort competition and dominate global copper production. (Sound_bite) He Yadong, Spokesperson, Chinese Ministry of Commerce: "A WTO panel already ruled in 2022 that U.S. Section 232 tariffs violate international trade rules. Despite this, the U.S. has not only reinstated tariffs on steel and aluminum but is now pushing forward with a new investigation. Such actions threaten the rules-based multilateral trading system and destabilize global supply chains. China is a net importer of refined copper, with only minimal exports of copper products. Accusations that China is undermining competition through subsidies and overcapacity are completely baseless. We urge the U.S. to immediately withdraw this investigation. Should the U.S. proceed with restrictive measures like tariffs, China will take all necessary steps to firmly defend its legitimate rights and interests." [Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland]