China to no longer seek benefits WTO gives developing countries

Chinese Premier Li Qiang has announced that his country will no longer claim special treatment the World Trade Organization gives developing nations.

Li, who visited the United States for the UN General Assembly, delivered a speech at a related meeting on Tuesday.

He said, “China will not seek new special and differential treatment in current and future negotiations at the WTO.”

In an apparent reference to the US, the Commerce Ministry said some countries are waging trade and tariff wars and harming the legitimate interests of WTO members. The ministry also said China’s move shows its stance of supporting the multilateral trade system and its responsibility as a major country.

The US has taken issue with the world’s second-largest economy receiving the preferential treatment.

China is believed to want to increase its influence on emerging and developing countries, collectively known as the Global South, by voluntarily giving up the privileges it has received at the WTO and stressing its stance of supporting free trade.

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