China relinquishes WTO 'developing country' status
China announced on Sep. 24, 2025 that it will no longer seek the special and differential treatment afforded to self-identified developing countries in World Trade Organization agreements. Premier Li Qiang made the declaration in New York at a China-organized development forum during the U.N. General Assembly; Chinese officials and the WTO director-general said the move aims to bolster the global trading system, while Beijing stressed the change covers ongoing and future negotiations but not existing agreements.
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Economy
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China gives up WTO developing country status in face of U.S. tariffs
New information:
- China will stop seeking 'developing country' special and differential treatment at the WTO, the Commerce Ministry said.
- Premier Li Qiang announced the decision on Sep. 24, 2025 in New York at a UN General Assembly–linked forum; China’s WTO envoy Li Yihong commented in Geneva.
- WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala called the step 'major news' and said it is key to WTO reform; the change applies to ongoing and future negotiations but not to existing agreements.