China has rejected U.S. accusations of forced labor and criticized a new U.S. tariff proposal targeting dozens of trading partners, including itself, as a political move.
The response came a day after the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) released findings from investigations into 60 economies and proposed additional tariffs linked to their handling of imports made with forced labor.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Wednesday that forced labor does not exist in China and accused Washington of using the issue as a “pretext for political manipulation.”
“Economic and trade issues should be worked out through dialogue and consultation on the basis of equality, respect, and mutual benefit,” Mao told reporters in Beijing, according to a Foreign Ministry briefing….