On March 27, China launched two investigations into U.S. trade practices and accused Washington of restricting access to the trade market and disrupting commerce in green products.
Beijing’s announcement followed two earlier U.S. decisions. On March 11, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative opened an investigation under Section 301 into structural overcapacity in various manufacturing sectors.
According to China’s Commerce Ministry, the steps taken by the United States restrict Chinese products’ access to the U.S. market, hamper exports of advanced technologies to China, and create barriers to trade in the green energy sector.
Although a trade truce has remained in place between Washington and Beijing since the October 2025 meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, recent developments show that disagreements over industrial policy, market access, and technology trade remain on the agenda.
According to Reuters, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao also raised concerns about the U.S. investigations during his latest meeting with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, while noting that Beijing remains ready to deepen economic and trade cooperation.
Media sources suggest that both sides are trying to preserve leverage for negotiations while also avoiding a sharp deterioration in diplomatic relations.
Beijing’s decision to respond to U.S. steps with formal investigations rather than tougher trade tariffs indicates that room for negotiations still remains, even as the trade dispute has already expanded to include supply chains, high-tech exports, and green industries.
Author: Mariam Simsive
