The China Chamber of International Commerce (CCOIC) has strongly opposed the U.S. trade protectionism act in the name of safeguarding national security.
Wang Xuejia from CCOIC Enterprises' Rights Protection Center voiced her strong opposition on the U.S.’ deed as she was attending a public hearing on its Section 232 investigation of imports of automobiles and automotive parts on July 19 in the U.S. Department of Commerce in Washington D.C..
Wang Xuejia said, the production and sales of U.S.’ automobiles have maintained steady growth since 2009. Therefore, the trade protectionism act will definitely add more burdens to consumers, and increase U.S. unemployment rate, which has not only gone against the real purpose of Section 232 investigation, but also undermined the global competitiveness of auto industry, igniting trade retaliation and hence having negative impacts on international trade order and global economic revival.
“China-made automobiles accounted for less than one percent of the U.S. total import in 2017. The export of China’s auto parts last year was comparatively small and these auto parts were mainly assembled for commercial vehicles, which would definitely not be detrimental to the U.S. national security. Therefore, the U.S. should stop the investigation nor place any restrictions on Chinese auto products,” added Wang.
Prior to the public hearing, CCPIC and CCOIC hosted meetings with trade professionals, experts and enterprise delegates to collect evidence for the Section 232 investigation. They submitted a 379-page professional proposal, in which the legalization of the Section 232 investigation, the current conditions of U.S. automobiles and auto parts industry and feedback from other countries were analyzed. The proposal opposed the Section 232 investigation out of safeguarding the Chinese business community, calling for the U.S. to comprehensively and objectively evaluate the impact of the investigation on U.S. auto industry, economic benefits and international trade order.
The hearing featured testimony from 44 individuals, representing domestic and international companies, industry groups, labor, and foreign countries. Officials from the Department of Defense also participated.
This hearing provided an opportunity for stakeholders to present information and advice relevant to the investigation on the effects of imports of automobiles and auto parts on national security.
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