Key facts
- China's commerce ministry extended two trade barrier probes into US practices until December 27.
- The probes were launched in March and examine US actions disrupting global supply chains and green product trade.
- The ministry cited case complexity for the three-month extension.
- The investigations are reciprocal countermeasures to US Section 301 probes.
China's Ministry of Commerce has extended two trade barrier investigations into US practices by three months, pushing the conclusion date to December 27. The probes, initially launched on March 27, are examining US actions that are said to disrupt global supply and industrial chains and hinder trade in green products.
The ministry stated that the decisions to extend the investigations were made due to the complexity of the cases. These investigations are described as reciprocal countermeasures to the US's Section 301 investigations concerning forced labor and excess industrial capacity.
These announcements follow recent trade talks between China and the US, during which both sides agreed to a two-month extension of their trade truce until January 10 and a reduction in tariffs on $60 billion worth of goods. Commerce Minister Wang Wentao had previously expressed "serious concerns" over recent US Section 301 investigations during a meeting with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.