China denies forced labour claims in response to US tariff proposals

China has denied allegations of forced labour and opposed US plans to impose additional tariffs on imports from 60 economies, including China, citing "unilateral" tariffs as unreasonable.

China ​said on ​Wednesday it opposed ‌all forms ​of "unilateral" tariffs and denied allegations of forced ‌labour, after the U.S. proposed additional duties on imports from 60 economies citing ‌failures to curb trade in ‌goods made with forced labour. The U.S. on Tuesday proposed imposing additional duties of 10% or ⁠12.5% ​on ⁠imports from the 60 economies, including China, after ⁠determining their failures to curb such ​trade in goods are unreasonable and ⁠restrict U.S. commerce.

"There is no so-called forced ⁠labour ​in China, and we oppose using this as an excuse ⁠for political manipulation," Mao Ning, a spokesperson ⁠for ⁠China's foreign ministry, said at a regular press briefing.