US warned of China rare earth curbs if Section 301 tariffs expand

Beijing could resume restrictions on rare-earth exports and halt purchases of United States soybeans if Washington insists on “making trouble” by proceeding with new tariffs under Section 301 of the Trade Act, according to Chinese commentators and policy observers.

The unofficial warnings came after the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on Thursday announced the initiation of Section 301 investigations into the trade practices of 16 countries, including China. The USTR also launched separate Section 301 probes into 60 economies to determine whether they have failed to curb imports of goods produced with forced labor, such as cotton from Xinjiang.

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