Ministry of Commerce: Launching a trade barrier investigation into the United States' practices and measures that disrupt the global production and supply chains

Ministry of Commerce Announcement No. 17 of 2026 Initiating a Trade Barrier Investigation into U.S. Practices and Measures that Disrupt the Global Supply Chain

In accordance with the Foreign Trade Law of the People’s Republic of China and relevant provisions of the Ministry of Commerce’s Rules for Investigation of Trade Barriers, in order to maintain the order of foreign trade, the Ministry of Commerce may conduct investigations into trade barriers imposed by relevant countries and regions.

Preliminary evidence and information obtained by the Ministry of Commerce indicate that the United States has implemented numerous severe practices and measures in trade-related areas that disrupt the global supply chain, including but not limited to: restricting or prohibiting Chinese products from entering the U.S. market, restricting or prohibiting the export of high-tech products to China, and restricting or prohibiting bilateral investment in key sectors. These practices and measures may seriously harm the trade interests of Chinese enterprises, and some measures are suspected of violating WTO rules and other economic and trade treaties or agreements jointly concluded or participated in by China and the United States.

Based on Article 41 and Article 42 of the Foreign Trade Law of the People’s Republic of China and Article 12 and Article 35 of the Rules for Investigation of Trade Barriers, the Ministry of Commerce has decided to initiate a trade barrier investigation into the relevant practices and measures of the United States starting from March 27, 2026. The relevant matters are announced as follows:

1. Investigated Measures

The investigated measures in this case are the practices and measures implemented by the United States in trade-related areas that disrupt the global supply chain.

2. Investigation Procedures

According to the provisions of the Rules for Investigation of Trade Barriers, the Ministry of Commerce may use questionnaires, hearings, on-site investigations, and other methods to understand the situation from interested parties and conduct the investigation.

3. Investigation Period

This case shall be concluded within 6 months from the date of the announcement of the case decision, and may be extended in special circumstances, but the extension shall not exceed 3 months.

4. Access to Public Information

Interested parties may download or find, read, transcribe, and copy the public information of this case from the trade relief investigation sub-website of the Ministry of Commerce or visit the public information consultation room of the trade relief investigation office of the Ministry of Commerce (Phone: 0086-10-65197878).

5. Comments on the Case Filing

Interested parties should submit written opinions regarding the case filing-related issues to the trade relief investigation office of the Ministry of Commerce within 20 days from the date of publication of this announcement.

6. Submission and Handling of Information

Interested parties submitting comments, answers, etc., during the investigation process should submit the electronic version through the “Trade Relief Investigation Information Platform” (https://etrb.mofcom.gov.cn) and simultaneously submit a written version as required by the Ministry of Commerce. The content of the electronic version and the written version should be the same, and the format should be consistent.

If interested parties believe that the disclosure of the information provided will have serious adverse effects, they may apply to the Ministry of Commerce for confidential treatment and provide reasons. If the Ministry of Commerce agrees to the request, the interested party applying for confidentiality must simultaneously provide a non-confidential summary of the confidential information. The non-confidential summary should contain sufficient meaningful information to allow other interested parties to have a reasonable understanding of the confidential information. If a non-confidential summary cannot be provided, reasons must be given. If the information submitted by the interested party does not indicate the need for confidentiality, the Ministry of Commerce will regard the information as public information.

7. Contact Address of the Ministry of Commerce

Address: No. 2 East Chang’an Street, Beijing

Postal Code: 100731

Trade Relief Investigation Office of the Ministry of Commerce

Phone: 0086-10-65198155 65198070

Fax: 0086-10-65198172

Relevant website: Trade Relief Investigation Office sub-website of the Ministry of Commerce (https://trb.mofcom.gov.cn)

Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China

March 27, 2026

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Editor: Song Yafang