Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao has expressed dissatisfaction with the tariffs imposed by the United States on Chinese goods in a letter to newly appointed US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, the ministry said on Wednesday.
Wang sent the letter the same day to congratulate him on his appointment, the ministry said in a statement.
“The US move to unilaterally impose tariffs has undermined normal economic and trade cooperation between China and the United States,” Wang said in the letter.
US President Donald Trump imposed a 10% tariff on all imports from China in early February, saying Beijing needed to stop the flow of fentanyl, a dangerous opioid, to the United States.
The US administration has long pressured China to control shipments of precursor chemicals used to produce the drug. However, Beijing has dismissed the allegations, saying the problem of opioid abuse is a domestic US issue. In response, China has imposed retaliatory tariffs and filed a dispute with Washington at the WTO.
In his letter, Wang stressed that China is willing to work with the US to strengthen dialogue, manage differences and promote cooperation.
“China hopes to resolve each other’s concerns through dialogue and consultation on an equal footing,” he said.
Beijing claims that it has taken firm measures to crack down on the trade of illegal chemicals and drugs. Wang also stressed that the two countries have carried out in-depth cooperation in controlling the spread of fentanyl and have made significant progress.
