U.S. Undermines Geneva Consensus, Says MOFCOM to Damage International Cooperation

China's Ministry of Commerce on Monday issued a strong statement condemning the United States for what it described as seriously undermining the consensus reached during China-U.S. economic and trade talks held in Geneva. The ministry expressed deep concern over a series of U.S. actions that have introduced what it called "discriminatory restrictive measures" targeting Chinese interests.

According to the ministry's spokesperson, the latest U.S. measures include issuing guidance to tighten export controls on artificial intelligence (AI) chips, stopping sales of crucial chip design software to China, and revoking visas for Chinese students. These steps, the spokesperson emphasized, directly contravene agreements made during a phone discussion between the two nations' leaders in January, damaging the foundation of mutual trust and legitimate Chinese rights and interests.

The ministry noted that the U.S. has repeatedly chosen to act unilaterally, instigating fresh rounds of economic and trade frictions. Such actions, it warned, fuel uncertainty and instability within the delicate framework of China-U.S. bilateral economic relations, undermining efforts to achieve stable cooperation. The statement underscored that these moves create additional barriers for Chinese entities and individuals seeking to engage in international business and academic exchanges.

"Instead of reflecting on its own actions, the United States has groundlessly accused China of violating the consensus," the spokesperson said, calling these accusations a gross distortion of the facts. "China firmly rejects these unjustified accusations," the spokesperson added, reiterating the country's commitment to safeguarding its national interests while urging the United States to honor previous commitments and work towards a more stable, mutually beneficial economic relationship.