Beijing speaks against Washington’s plans to introduce a port fee for vessels built in China and will take measures to protect its interests, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said.
"China expresses strong discontent and decisive protest in connection with that. China will keep an eye on developments in the US and will decisively take required measures to protect its rights and interests," the statement reads.
According to the ministry, the U.S. plans pose a serious potential damage to lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies, destabilize production and supply chains and breach WTO rules.
"They seriously undermine the rules-based multilateral trade system and the international trade and economic order," the statement reads.
China urged the U.S. to follow principles of the market economy and fair competition.
Earlier, the U.S. Office of Trade Representative said earlier that the U.S. will introduce the port fee for vessels made in China, which will start to be collected from October and will gradually grow during the next three years.
