The United States has used a World Trade Organization (WTO) session dedicated to its own trade policies to attack China .
The US takes the stand this week as part of the WTO's periodic review of member states, amid growing international concerns about its punitive tariffs.
US trade ambassador Dennis Shea told the review session on Monday that his country is not protectionist, but merely defending itself against countries such as China.
"China's actions are incompatible with the open, market-based approach expressly envisioned and followed by other WTO members and contrary to the fundamental principles of this organisation and its agreements," he charged.
Shea said Beijing had been unfairly aiding its own industries by creating excessive manufacturing capacity, while discriminating against foreign companies by forcing them to share technological know-how with China.
The US, on the other hand, has lower average tariffs than its main trade partners, according to Shea.
The envoy did not mention the US tariffs on $US250 billion ($A348b) worth of Chinese goods that were imposed as punishment for alleged unfair trade practices, such as intellectual property theft and forced technology transfers.
China has retaliated with duties on $US110 billion ($A153b) worth of US imports including soybeans, aircraft and cars.
Shea also reiterated Washington's demands for reforming the WTO, but he did not repeat US President Donald Trump's threat that the US will leave the organisation if it does not "shape up".
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