The Chinese Ministry of Commerce says it will take all necessary measures to protect the legitimate rights of its domestic enterprises. This is in response to the US imposing safeguard tariffs on certain imported goods. Wang Hui tells us more.

US President Donald Trump has approved imposing safeguard tariffs on large residential washing machines, and solar cells and modules imported from around the world.

For solar modules and cells, Trump imposed tariffs of 30 percent in the first year. This will gradually fall to half that figure in four years. The first 1.2 million washing machines imported each year will face a 20 percent tariff. Any additional imports will be taxed 50 percent. This rate will gradually fall over the next three years.

The US has already imposed anti-dumping and counter-veiling tariffs higher than 30 percent on Chinese solar panels in 2012 and 2014. It also imposed counter-dumping tariffs of over 50 percent on imported large Chinese washing machines in 2016. Beijing says it is seeing stronger US trade protectionism, and expressed dissatisfaction over the recent moves.

WANG HEJUN, DIRECTOR TRADE REMEDY AND INVESTIGATION BUREAU, CHINESE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE "Taking frequent trade remedy measures to the same kinds of products, is over-protecting US trade, and an abuse of trade remedy measures. We are deeply dissatisfied with the US actions." 

Regarding the large washing machines, two major Korean companies -- LG and Samsung -- have long been the strongest competitors for US manufacturers. The new measures will hit them the hardest.

According to the China Chamber of Commerce, the US imported solar panels worth about 8.5 billion US dollars in 2016. Of these, about 1.5 billion dollars-worth came from China, but another 3.5 billion dollars-worth came from enterprises outside of China, with Chinese investments.

Beiing says it doesn't want to see a trade war between the two countries.

WANG HEJUN, DIRECTOR TRADE REMEDY AND INVESTIGATION BUREAU, CHINESE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE "We are concerned about a trade war, and we don't want to see one between China and the US. It will not only negatively affect the two countries' economies, but also the global one. As the trade volume between the two countries is large, trade frictions in some sectors is inevitable. But it is vital to manage these, and not let them affect the economic and trade cooperation."

In regard to Washington's safeguard tariffs, Beijing says it will move to protect Chinese businesses.

WANG HUI BEIJING "Beijing also says that it will evaluate the US' investigation report, the legality of the tariffs under WTO rules and their impact on Chinese commerce. In addition, Beijing says that it will take all necessary measures to protect Chinese enterprises' legitimate rights."