China on Monday criticized a clause in the 787-billion-dollar stimulus package passed by the US Senate which requires the use of US goods and warned against trade protectionism, dpa reported.
"We believe that protectionist measures will make a bad situation in the financial crisis even worse," Trade Ministry spokesman Yao Jian told journalists.
Without naming the US directly, he said China was "deeply concerned" that countries had included the demand to buy domestic goods in their measures to boost their economies.
The so-called Buy American passage in the stimulus package approved by the US Senate on Friday asks for the use of US iron, steel and manufactured goods in public works projects funded by the bill.
Fears of rising protectionism are expected to play a prominent role during the visit of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to Beijing this weekend.