The Ministry of Commerce answers reporters’ questions on the U.S. Federal Communications Commission’s vote to adopt restrictions on testing laboratories

China News Service, October 30. According to the website of the Ministry of Commerce, on October 30, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce answered reporters’ questions on the US Federal Communications Commission’s vote to adopt testing laboratory restrictions.

Question: On October 29, Eastern Time, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to adopt testing laboratory restrictions. Starting from December 1, 2028, it is prohibited to authorize testing laboratories, telecommunications certification agencies and laboratory accreditation agencies located in so-called "non-reciprocal economies" such as China, and to conduct FCC-related testing, certification or accreditation business in "non-reciprocal economies". What is the Ministry of Commerce’s comment on this?

A: We have noticed the relevant situation. For some time, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission has ignored China's repeated representations and violated the important consensus reached by the two heads of state. It has frequently introduced China-related restrictions, seriously harming the interests of China and other relevant trading partners, seriously undermining the stability of Sino-U.S. economic and trade, and seriously disrupting the stability of the global production and supply chain. China is strongly dissatisfied and firmly opposed to this, and has taken countermeasures in response in the early stage.

China's testing laboratories are an important part of the global testing and certification system, providing cost-effective guarantee for the production and trade of global communications electronics and intelligent manufacturing-related products. Ignoring the objective laws of global economic development and industrial cooperation and division of labor, the United States uses administrative means to interfere in market choices, force the so-called "reshoring of testing," raise testing costs for companies, and lengthen product delivery and iteration cycles, which will ultimately harm the interests of U.S. companies and consumers. China has proposed to negotiate a "bilateral mutual recognition agreement" many times before, but the US attitude has been extremely negative.

China's door is always open to solving problems through consultation. We hope that the United States will heed the industry's voice, respect market rules, meet China halfway, and immediately withdraw relevant measures. If the U.S. insists on going its own way, China will further take necessary measures to firmly safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.