China argues US 'abusing' Section 301 again

BEIJING, March 16 (Reuters) - China has made representations to the United States against its unfair trade investigation looking into forced labour, saying the Trump administration has abused the legislation, the Chinese commerce ministry said on Monday.

U.S. Trade Representative's office said last week it had begun a second set of Section 301 unfair trade practices probes of 60 economies in relation ​to what it called failures to take action on forced labor.

China called the investigation an attempt to build trade barriers that was "extremely unilateral, arbitrary and discriminatory, and a typical protectionist act".

"The United States has once again abused the 301 investigation process to override domestic law over international rules," a spokesperson for the ministry said in the statement.

"We urge the U.S. side to immediately correct its wrong practices, meet China halfway," the spokesperson said, also urging equal consultation and landing solutions through dialogue.

The ministry said it will pay close attention to the progress of the US investigation, and will take necessary measures to defend its legitimate rights and interests.