China Calls on United States to 'Completely Cancel' Reciprocal Tariffs
The intensifying trade conflict between the United States and China has reached a critical juncture, with Beijing urging Washington to eliminate its reciprocal tariffs entirely.
This plea follows recent US exemptions for select electronics and chipmaking equipment, highlighting the delicate balance in global trade relations.
Escalation of Trade Tensions
The US, under President Donald Trump, imposed sweeping tariffs on Chinese imports, with a blanket 145 percent levy applied to most goods.
In response, China enacted retaliatory tariffs of 125 percent on US products, effective Saturday.
This back-and-forth has rattled global markets and strained bilateral ties.
Beijing’s commerce ministry emphasized the need for resolution, stating:
We urge the US to take a big step to correct its mistakes, completely cancel the wrong practice of ‘reciprocal tariffs’ and return to the right path of mutual respect.
China Ministry of Commerce Spokesman
Limited Relief Through Exemptions
On Friday, the US Customs and Border Protection office announced exemptions for key products, including smartphones, laptops, and memory chips. These exemptions provide relief for US tech firms like Apple, Nvidia, and Dell, which depend on Chinese supply chains.
China’s commerce ministry cautiously welcomed the move, calling it a “small step” while noting it is “evaluating the impact.”
However, China’s exclusion from a broader 90-day tariff reprieve granted to other nations keeps the pressure on.
Broader Economic Consequences
The tariff dispute threatens more than just US-China relations; it risks destabilizing the global economy.
China has sought to rally international support, with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao warning that tariffs “inflict serious harm” on developing countries.
Meanwhile, President Xi Jinping’s upcoming Southeast Asia engagements signal China’s push to strengthen ties with regional partners, advocating for collective resistance to “unilateral bullying practices.”
Toward a Resolution?
While the White House remains “optimistic” about securing a deal, progress hinges on renewed dialogue. The exemptions suggest room for compromise, but without a broader rollback of tariffs, tensions are likely to persist.
Both nations must prioritize diplomacy to mitigate further economic fallout.