China Criticizes Increased US Export Restrictions

China’s Commerce Ministry criticized the U.S. Commerce Department’s decision to increase restrictions on exports to Chinese military users, saying it will “damage the interests of related U.S. companies more.” The measures, introduced last week (see 2004280052), were examples of the U.S. “abusing export control measures and impeding normal trade and cooperation among trading partners,” a ministry spokesperson said during an April 30 press conference, according to an unofficial translation of a transcript of the event. China said governments have a “responsibility” to reduce trade barriers during the COVID-19 pandemic “rather than create obstacles,” adding that “it is hoped that the U.S. side will stop wrong practices.”