China initiated two trade investigations against the United States on Friday, underscoring its determination to counter President Donald Trump’s tariff measures ahead of his planned visit in May. China’s Commerce Ministry stated that the new probes are launched in response to investigations initiated by Trump earlier this month targeting several countries, including China.
The investigations will concentrate on U.S. policies regarded as detrimental to global industrial and supply chains, including actions that hinder the trade of green products. The ministry added that they are launched to safeguard domestic industries and as a reaction to Section 301 inquiries alleging unfair trade practices by China.
One probe will review U.S. policies that restrict the entry of Chinese goods into the American market and limit the export of advanced technology products from the U.S. to China. The second investigation will focus on obstacles facing Chinese green energy exports. The inquiries are expected to last six months, with the possibility of a three-month extension if needed.
In a statement, the ministry affirmed that ‘preliminary evidence and information’ indicate Washington may have blocked or limited Chinese goods from entering the U.S. market, restricted exports of advanced technology to China, curtailed bilateral investment in key sectors, slowed the development of new energy projects, and hindered collaboration on green technology.
The ministry also warned that, if verified, such practices would seriously undermine the interests of Chinese enterprises and could breach World Trade Organization rules as well as prior bilateral agreements.
The Chinese investigations mark the latest escalation in the ongoing trade dispute and may serve as leverage against potential new U.S. tariffs. The move comes a day after Commerce Minister Wang Wentao met U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on the sidelines of a WTO meeting in Cameroon.
Under Chinese law, once restrictive measures are identified, authorities may employ a broad range of responses, including diplomatic negotiations, reciprocal countermeasures, WTO dispute settlement proceedings, anti‑dumping inquiries, export controls, and entity blacklisting.
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