[Red Envelope] Shifting Strategies: The Ministry of Commerce Launches Two Trade Barrier Investigations Against the United States

$San’an Optoelectronics (sh600703)$[TaoGuBa]

The Ministry of Commerce announces No. 17 of 2026, initiating a trade barrier investigation into the U.S. practices and measures that undermine the global supply chain.
In accordance with the “Foreign Trade Law of the People’s Republic of China” and the Ministry of Commerce’s “Rules for Trade Barrier Investigations,” to maintain the order of foreign trade, the Ministry of Commerce can independently investigate trade barriers imposed by relevant countries and regions.
Preliminary evidence and information obtained by the Ministry of Commerce indicate that the U.S. has implemented numerous serious practices and measures in trade-related areas that undermine 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. The aforementioned practices and measures may severely damage the trade interests of Chinese enterprises, with some measures suspected of violating WTO rules and other economic and trade treaties or agreements jointly concluded or participated in by China and the U.S.
In accordance with Article 41, Article 42 of the “Foreign Trade Law of the People’s Republic of China,” and Article 12, Article 35 of the “Rules for Trade Barrier Investigations,” the Ministry of Commerce has decided to initiate a trade barrier investigation into the relevant practices and measures of the U.S. starting from March 27, 2026. The relevant matters are hereby announced as follows:

1. Investigated Measures
   The investigated measures in this case are: the practices and measures implemented by the U.S. in trade-related areas that undermine the global supply chain.
2. Investigation Procedure
   According to the provisions of the “Rules for Trade Barrier Investigations,” the Ministry of Commerce may use questionnaires, hearings, field investigations, and other means to understand the situation from stakeholders and conduct the investigation.
3. Investigation Period
   This case shall be completed within 6 months from the date of the announcement of the decision to file the case, and may be extended in special circumstances, but the extension shall not exceed 3 months.
4. Access to Public Information
   Stakeholders may download or search, read, transcribe, and copy publicly available information related to this case from the trade remedy investigation bureau sub-website of the Ministry of Commerce or at the public information reading room of trade remedies of the Ministry of Commerce.
5. Comments on the Filing
   Stakeholders should submit written opinions on issues related to the filing to the trade remedy investigation bureau of the Ministry of Commerce within 20 days from the date of publication of this announcement.
6. Submission and Handling of Information
   Stakeholders submitting comments, responses, etc., during the investigation process shall submit an electronic version through the “Trade Remedy Investigation Information Platform” and simultaneously provide a written version as required by the Ministry of Commerce. The content of the electronic and written versions should be the same, and the format should remain consistent.
   If stakeholders believe that the disclosure of the information they provide will have serious adverse effects, they may apply to the Ministry of Commerce for confidential treatment of the information, providing reasons. If the Ministry of Commerce agrees to the request, the stakeholder requesting confidentiality must also provide a non-confidential summary of the confidential information. The non-confidential summary should contain sufficient meaningful information to allow other stakeholders to have a reasonable understanding of the confidential information. If it cannot provide a non-confidential summary, it should explain the reasons. If stakeholders do not indicate the need for confidentiality in the information submitted, the Ministry of Commerce will regard the information as public information.
   Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China
   March 27, 2026
   The Ministry of Commerce announces No. 18 of 2026, initiating a trade barrier investigation into the U.S. practices and measures that obstruct green product trade.
   In accordance with the “Foreign Trade Law of the People’s Republic of China” and the Ministry of Commerce’s “Rules for Trade Barrier Investigations,” to maintain the order of foreign trade, the Ministry of Commerce can independently investigate trade barriers imposed by relevant countries and regions.
   Preliminary evidence and information obtained by the Ministry of Commerce indicate that the U.S. has implemented multiple practices and measures in trade-related areas that obstruct green product trade, including but not limited to: restricting the export of green products to the U.S., slowing down the deployment of new energy projects, and limiting technical cooperation related to green products. The aforementioned practices and measures may severely damage the trade interests of Chinese enterprises, with some measures suspected of violating WTO rules and other economic and trade treaties or agreements jointly concluded or participated in by China and the U.S.
   In accordance with Article 41, Article 42 of the “Foreign Trade Law of the People’s Republic of China,” and Article 12, Article 35 of the “Rules for Trade Barrier Investigations,” the Ministry of Commerce has decided to initiate a trade barrier investigation into the relevant practices and measures of the U.S. starting from March 27, 2026. The relevant matters are hereby announced as follows:
7. Investigated Measures
   The investigated measures in this case are: the practices and measures implemented by the U.S. in trade-related areas that obstruct green product trade.
8. Investigation Procedure
   According to the provisions of the “Rules for Trade Barrier Investigations,” the Ministry of Commerce may use questionnaires, hearings, field investigations, and other means to understand the situation from stakeholders and conduct the investigation.
9. Investigation Period
   This case shall be completed within 6 months from the date of the announcement of the decision to file the case, and may be extended in special circumstances, but the extension shall not exceed 3 months.
10. Access to Public Information
    Stakeholders may download or search, read, transcribe, and copy publicly available information related to this case from the trade remedy investigation bureau sub-website of the Ministry of Commerce or at the public information reading room of trade remedies of the Ministry of Commerce.
11. Comments on the Filing
    Stakeholders should submit written opinions on issues related to the filing to the trade remedy investigation bureau of the Ministry of Commerce within 20 days from the date of publication of this announcement.
12. Submission and Handling of Information
    Stakeholders submitting comments, responses, etc., during the investigation process shall submit an electronic version through the “Trade Remedy Investigation Information Platform” and simultaneously provide a written version as required by the Ministry of Commerce. The content of the electronic and written versions should be the same, and the format should remain consistent.
    If stakeholders believe that the disclosure of the information they provide will have serious adverse effects, they may apply to the Ministry of Commerce for confidential treatment of the information, providing reasons. If the Ministry of Commerce agrees to the request, the stakeholder requesting confidentiality must also provide a non-confidential summary of the confidential information. The non-confidential summary should contain sufficient meaningful information to allow other stakeholders to have a reasonable understanding of the confidential information. If it cannot provide a non-confidential summary, it should explain the reasons. If stakeholders do not indicate the need for confidentiality in the information submitted, the Ministry of Commerce will regard the information as public information.
    Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China
    March 27, 2026
    Ministry of Commerce Q&A: Spokesperson answers reporters’ questions regarding the initiation of two trade barrier investigations against the U.S.
    Today, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce answered reporters’ questions regarding the initiation of two trade barrier investigations against the U.S.
    Q: We noticed that the Ministry of Commerce issued two announcements, initiating two trade barrier investigations regarding the relevant measures and practices of the U.S. Can you provide relevant information?
    A: The U.S. Trade Representative’s Office initiated a 301 investigation against China and 16 other economies on March 12 at 12:00 PM Beijing time, citing “overcapacity,” and then on March 13, initiated another 301 investigation against China and 60 other economies, citing “failure to effectively ban the import of forced labor products.” China expresses strong dissatisfaction and firmly opposes this.
    In order to firmly safeguard the interests of relevant industries in China, in accordance with the “Foreign Trade Law of the People’s Republic of China” and the relevant provisions of the “Rules for Trade Barrier Investigations,” in response to the two 301 investigations initiated by the U.S. against China, the Ministry of Commerce released two announcements on March 27, respectively initiating trade barrier investigations into the U.S. practices and measures that undermine the global supply chain and the U.S. practices and measures that obstruct green product trade.
    In the next step, the Ministry of Commerce will advance the investigation of trade barriers against the U.S. according to the relevant provisions of the “Foreign Trade Law” and the “Rules for Trade Barrier Investigations,” and take corresponding measures based on the investigation results to firmly defend its legitimate rights and interests.