China Rejects US Claims on Economic Imbalance and Overcapacity at G20

China has firmly rejected efforts by the United States to raise allegations of "economic imbalances" and "overcapacity" within multilateral frameworks such as the G20. Speaking at a regular press conference in Beijing, Ministry of Commerce spokesperson Huang Ling criticized recent remarks by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, describing Washington's narrative as an excuse to pursue protectionism and impose unilateral restrictions on China. Huang warned that such rhetoric disrupts international economic order and urged member states to preserve multilateralism and supply chain stability.

The dispute highlights how bilateral trade frictions between Beijing and Washington are increasingly spilling into multilateral economic forums like the G20. US efforts to build international consensus around Chinese industrial policy and macroeconomic imbalances risk complicating cross-border policy coordination and escalating disputes over tariffs, export restrictions, and global supply chain resilience.

China's Ministry of Commerce has voiced strong opposition to the United States raising allegations of "economic imbalances" and industrial "overcapacity" within multilateral bodies like the Group of 20 (G20), characterizing the practice as a pretext for trade protectionism. Speaking at a regular press briefing in Beijing on September 3, Ministry of Commerce spokesperson Huang Ling addressed recent China-related statements made by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. According to reports carried by Xinhua News Agency, Huang asserted that using the G20 and other multilateral venues to promote narratives of structural imbalances is essentially an attempt to pursue protectionism and fabricate justifications for applying economic pressure and trade restrictions against China. Huang emphasized that Beijing firmly opposes such actions, warning that introducing bilateral geopolitical tensions into multilateral settings risks destabilizing the international trade environment and inflicting damage on global economic recovery. Chinese officials maintained that multilateral institutions should serve as platforms for cooperative policy dialogue rather than arenas for unilateral confrontation. Addressing G20 participants and the wider international community, Huang urged member economies to uphold multilateralism, enhance cross-border policy communication and coordination, and expand open economic cooperation. The spokesperson stated that governments should work collaboratively to safeguard the stability and smooth flow of global industrial and supply chains in pursuit of mutual benefit, rather than fragmenting commerce through unilateral barriers. The exchange reflects continuing friction between Beijing and Washington over manufacturing capacity, macroeconomic policy, and trade surpluses. While US officials have repeatedly argued that Chinese state support produces export volumes that distort international markets, Beijing contends that its industrial competitiveness is market-driven and that US criticisms represent protectionist efforts aimed at curbing China's economic development.