China criticizes America's latest tariffs on washers and solar panels

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US President Donald Trump slapped tariffs on imported solar-energy components and washing machines on Monday.

In response, China criticized the tariffs, and hopes the US will refrain from abusing trade remedies.

Wang Hejun, Director of Trade Remedy and Investigation Bureau of Chinese Ministry of Commerce, said, “We are concerned about a trade war, and we don’t want to see a trade war between China and the US. It will not only negatively affect the two countries’ economies, but also the global one.”

The US says that a 20 percent tariff will be imposed on the first 1.2 million large household washers in the first year. The rate will rise to as much as 50 percent before declining in the third year.

Production operator John White checks a panel at the SolarWorld solar panel factory in Hillsboro, Oregon, US, Jan. 15, 2018. /Reuters Photo

A 30 percent tariff will be imposed on solar cells and modules in the first year. The rate will decline to 15 percent by the fourth year.

The tariffs came after the US International Trade Commission found that imports of both products hurt domestic manufacturers.

But it's not as straightforward as that.

The American Solar Industry Association says the new move will cause the loss of about 23,000 American jobs this year, many of them in manufacturing. And it will result in the delay or cancellation of billions of dollars in solar investments.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry says it's not just industry development in the US that suffers, but global trade in related industries as well.

"The investigation launched by the US has not only raised the concerns of many trading partners, but has also been opposed by many local governments and businesses in the US. China will defend its legitimate rights and interests with other WTO members.”

The tariffs are in line with President Trump's "America First" policy, which calls for protecting local manufacturers from foreign competition.

Washington's latest anti-dumping probes targeted Chinese aluminum alloy sheet metal exports last November. It was the first time in 25 years that the US has pursued a case without an industry complaint.

And it’s predicted that Trump is planning on even more aggressive steps in 2018, to resolve what Washington perceives as unfair trade practices. And fair or not, it looks like there’s no clear limit.