China calls US arrogant, selfish for asking WTO rules change
By Zhang Jian
People's Daily app
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The US side’s remarks on developing country status at the World Trade Organization (WTO) exposes the US’ arrogance and selfishness, said China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying on Monday.

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(File Photo: CGTN)

The Trump administration issued a memorandum last Friday aimed at changing the World Trade Organization’s approach toward developing countries. The memorandum named China as an example.

The US also threatened to take unilateral actions if the WTO does not change its rules in 90 days.

Hua said that US’ actions this time are not compatible with its status as the world's largest country.

“The WTO is not owned by any country or a few countries, nor is it an organization where a country or a few countries have the final say. The WTO has to respect the will of all members," Hua said.

The US has submitted two similar proposals in the WTO, but each time it did not succeed. “So the US should know that such claim is unpopular,” Hua said.

“The US has been repeatedly opposed by most developing members for unilaterally exaggerating the development level of some developing members,” said Hua.

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development released a research report recently, saying that development is a multi-dimensional concept, and the current classification of developing countries is reasonable.

Hua stressed that as the largest developing country in the world, China does not evade its international responsibility when calling itself a developing country, but to advocate the basic rights of developing countries and to maintain international fairness and justice.

“China will continue to make contributions in line with its own capabilities and development level in WTO negotiations,” said Hua. “China will also continue to help other developing members to develop, contributing to maintaining the multilateral trading system and promoting the WTO reform toward the right direction.”

“We hope that some people in the US deeply reflect on their remarks,” Hua added.