China Trade · Renewable Energy · Supply Chains · US Tariffs
China initiated two trade barrier investigations against the United States on March 27, 2026, alleging U.S. restrictions disrupted global supply chains and trade in renewable-energy products, following new U.S. Section 301 tariff investigations.
China's Ministry of Commerce stated the probes, expected to conclude within six months, target U.S. restrictions on Chinese product market access, high-tech exports to China, and bilateral investment in key sectors. A separate investigation focuses on U.S. practices hindering renewable-energy product trade, including export restrictions from China, slowed deployment of new-energy products, and prohibited technology cooperation.
The Ministry of Commerce asserts these U.S. measures seriously harm Chinese enterprises' trade interests and violate World Trade Organization rules. This action directly responds to the Trump administration's new Section 301 tariff investigations, which replaced earlier global duties of 10% deemed illegal by the Supreme Court.
Despite escalating trade tensions, U.S. and Chinese officials, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, recently held "candid, in depth and constructive" trade talks in France. President Trump's visit to China, initially scheduled for earlier in March, is now planned for May.