China Urges the United States to Cancel Unilateral Tariffs

SadaNews - China urged the United States on Monday to eliminate the "unilateral" tariffs announced by President Donald Trump, following the U.S. Supreme Court's annulment of a large portion of the fees imposed since he returned to the White House, noting that it is assessing the implications of the judicial decision.

The Ministry of Commerce announced in a statement, "We have taken note of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision regarding tariffs, and we are currently conducting a comprehensive evaluation of its content and impact."

The ministry added, "We have also noted that the United States is currently planning to take alternative measures, such as trade investigations, in order to maintain increased tariffs on its trading partners. China will continue to pay close attention to this matter and firmly protect its interests."

The statement continued, "China urges the United States to cancel its unilateral tariff measures on its trading partners."

China, the world's second-largest economic power and the main trading partner of the United States, has been particularly targeted by the strict tariff policy implemented by Trump since his return to the presidency in January 2025.

A real trade war has been waged between the two countries for months, having repercussions on other countries around the world, in light of mutual tariffs and various restrictions, before Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping agreed in October to a truce that experts consider fragile.

The Implications of Canceling Tariffs Remain Unclear

The U.S. Supreme Court canceled a significant portion of the strict tariffs imposed by Trump on Friday, stating that the "economic emergency" he relied on to act without prior approval from Congress was unverified.

The repercussions of this decision remain unclear, especially since Trump responded to this setback by announcing new global tariffs of 15% on imported products, which will take effect on February 24 for 150 days, with sectoral exemptions including the pharmaceutical industry, as well as goods entering the United States under the free trade agreement with Mexico and Canada.

A White House official mentioned that Trump will visit China between March 31 and April 2. China has not confirmed this visit.

U.S. Trade Representative Jamison Greer predicted on Sunday that the trade agreements made by the country with China, the European Union, and other partners will remain in effect despite the ruling.

He confirmed that the purpose of Trump's upcoming visit to China is to "oversee the agreement" signed with Beijing, without a trade confrontation.

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce stated that "the mutual tariffs, the tariffs on fentanyl, and other unilateral measures taken by the United States violate international economic and trade rules as well as U.S. national law, and do not serve the interests of either party."

Trump's administration justified some of the tariffs imposed on China by accusing it of dragging its feet in combating fentanyl smuggling, a narcotic that is causing a serious health crisis in the United States.

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce reiterated once again what Beijing has always emphasized that "cooperation between China and the United States benefits both sides, while confrontation harms both sides."