Overview

• Premier Li Qiang announced the policy at a New York development forum during the UN General Assembly, saying China will forgo special and differential treatment in upcoming WTO talks.
• Commerce Ministry officials said the step aims to reinforce global trade rules in the face of tariff battles and unilateral import restrictions.
• WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala welcomed the move as clearing a source of discord and opening space for reform, while noting the U.S. reaction has been positive and impatient.
• The change applies only to ongoing and future negotiations and does not alter existing WTO commitments, with observers noting that effects on foreign market access in China remain unclear.
• Chinese officials emphasized the country still identifies with the developing world, called the decision voluntary, and signaled it is not a call for other members to follow suit.