In response to recent U.S. trade actions, China's Ministry of Commerce has voiced strong objections during a regular press conference held on August 20. The remarks came after the United States imposed new tariffs on solar-grade polysilicon and its derivatives under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, and subsequently announced additional duties ranging from 10% to 100% on imported drones and components, citing national security concerns.

Regarding the drone tariffs, Ministry spokesperson He Yadong stated that China consistently views such Section 232 measures as unilateral and protectionist actions taken under the guise of "national security." He emphasized that Chinese drone exports to the U.S. are primarily used for civilian purposes, including agriculture, equipment inspection, and film and entertainment. He criticized the U.S. for overgeneralizing national security concepts, implementing differentiated tariff rates for trading partners, and discriminatorily targeting Chinese products, which he said severely harms Chinese enterprise interests, disrupts global drone supply chain cooperation, and undermines fair market competition. "China firmly opposes this. We urge the U.S. to immediately revoke the relevant Section 232 tariffs," he added.

On the recent U.S. report titled "Massive Transshipment Fraud: Origins, Scale, and Costs," which alleges China is evading tariffs through third-country transshipments, He dismissed the findings as ignoring facts and distorting truth. He argued that the report falsely labels normal international trade and investment as a "fraud" and fabricates a narrative of a "shadow transshipment network," characterizing it as typical unilateralism and protectionism aimed at suppressing Chinese products. "China expresses strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition," he said. He further noted that the U.S.'s own high and differentiated tariffs are the root cause threatening global supply chain security, and that attributing domestic economic issues to external factors will not resolve America's deep-seated problems. He demanded the U.S. immediately cease its irresponsible accusations, stop disrupting Sino-U.S. economic and trade relations, and genuinely maintain the security and stability of global supply chains. He reaffirmed China's commitment to international trade rules and its willingness to cooperate with all parties on an equal and mutually beneficial basis to build a "win-win trade network" for global development.

In a separate matter, China issued another anti-coercion order on August 19 against the European Union's cross-border investigations into Chinese entities under the Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR). He Yadong noted that China has consistently opposed the EU's abuse of such unilateral tools to suppress Chinese companies. Following the initial order in the Nuctech case in May, he highlighted the EU's recent unreasonable demands in the JD.com case for extensive, irrelevant information from Chinese banks. He explained that based on thorough investigation and in accordance with China's Anti-Foreign Improper Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Regulations, the Chinese government has determined that the EU's cross-border investigative practices in the FSR probe into JD.com constitute improper extraterritorial jurisdiction measures, and all organizations and individuals are prohibited from executing or assisting in such measures. He stressed that both sides have established the Trade and Investment Consultation mechanism (TIC) and agreed to manage differences through dialogue. He urged the EU to work with China, promptly correct its erroneous practices in FSR investigations, and enhance communication through intergovernmental channels. China will closely monitor the EU's actions and take necessary measures to resolutely safeguard national security and corporate legal rights.