China Criticises Trump’s Trade Probe, Approves New Five-Year Economic Plan

The Chinese government has criticised the administration of Donald Trump over a new investigation into the trade practices of several countries, describing the move as politically motivated.

China’s Foreign Ministry on Thursday condemned the probe announced by the U.S. Trade Representative, Jamieson Greer, which targets what Washington describes as excess manufacturing capacity in economies including China, Mexico and the European Union.

Responding to the development, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Beijing strongly opposes unilateral tariff actions and dismissed claims that China’s manufacturing sector suffers from overcapacity.

“The so-called issue of China’s overcapacity does not really exist and should not be used as a pretext for political manipulation,” Guo said.

The investigation follows a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court last month that struck down tariffs previously imposed by the Trump administration on imports from several countries. The new probe could allow Washington to introduce fresh tariffs if it concludes that certain countries discriminate against U.S. companies.

The dispute comes just weeks before a planned meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at a high-level summit expected to address trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies.

Meanwhile, Chinese lawmakers in Beijing approved a new national development blueprint during the closing session of the National People’s Congress at the Great Hall of the People.

The five-year economic plan outlines policies aimed at strengthening technological self-reliance and expanding industrial manufacturing capacity, areas that have previously drawn criticism from some of China’s trading partners.

Analysts say the plan signals Beijing’s determination to continue prioritising domestic innovation and industrial growth despite ongoing trade disputes with Western economies.