Commerce Minister Bo Xilai's defense came as Mattel announced it is recalling 1.5 million toys because lead paint was used in their manufacture, The Financial Times reported. The recalled items include replicas of Sesame Street characters like Elmo.

The Chinese government promised to cooperate with the United States to improve safety inspections of its export products.

Chinese exports have been battered by a string of recalls and problems with products ranging from dog food to Thomas the Tank Engine toys. One top health and safety official was executed for taking bribes from manufacturers.

Bo also published a statement on his ministry's Web site Wednesday, saying: "We hope that all parties can treat Chinese products objectively, fairly and rationally. Don't let this damage the normal development of trade."