China says it will no longer seek SDT benefits as a major developing country

Premier Li Qiang said that as a responsible major developing country, China will not seek any new Special and Differential Treatment, or SDT, in the current and future World Trade Organization negotiations.

Li made the remarks at a high-level meeting on the Global Development Initiative held by China on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly.

Washington had previously argued there could be no meaningful WTO reform until China and other major economies relinquish the SDT granted to developing countries.

Beijing's announcement comes after months of trade tensions with the U.S. over sweeping tariffs imposed by Washington and retaliatory measures by China.

The WTO director-general applauded China's leadership on the issue.