China has urged the United States to fully eliminate its “reciprocal tariffs,” rejecting Washington’s latest tariff exemptions for consumer electronics and semiconductor equipment as insufficient.
In a strongly worded statement on Sunday, China’s Ministry of Commerce said the U.S. should “take a big step to correct its mistakes” and abandon the tariff policy altogether.
“We urge the U.S. to completely cancel the wrong practice of reciprocal tariffs and return to the right path of mutual respect,” said a ministry spokesperson.
Beijing Stands Firm Amid Trade Escalation
The call comes just a day after China’s retaliatory tariffs—raising import duties on U.S. goods to 125%—officially took effect. This move followed President Donald Trump’s decision earlier this month to hike tariffs on all Chinese goods to a staggering 145%.
While the U.S. announced a 90-day pause on tariffs for most countries, China was excluded from the reprieve, further escalating tensions between the world’s two largest economies.
U.S. Tech Industry Gets Partial Relief
Despite the escalating trade war, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency announced Friday that key tech items—such as smartphones, laptops, and semiconductor components—would be exempt from the tariffs.
The exemption, which could provide significant relief to American companies like Apple, Nvidia, and Dell, covers more than 20% of total Chinese imports, according to Gerard DiPippo, senior researcher at RAND Corporation.
China’s commerce ministry described the exemption as a “small step” and noted that Beijing is still assessing its broader implications.
Semiconductor Tariffs Still Loom
President Trump said over the weekend that a “very specific” announcement regarding tariffs on global semiconductor imports would be made Monday. This leaves uncertainty hanging over one of the most globally integrated and strategically important sectors.
China Moves to Strengthen Global Partnerships
As the U.S. doubles down on tariffs, China is shifting gears diplomatically, positioning itself as a stable alternative. President Xi Jinping will embark on a five-day tour of Southeast Asia starting Monday, meeting with leaders in Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia—all key trade partners.
On Friday, Commerce Minister Wang Wentao warned the WTO that the U.S. tariff policy threatens developing nations and global trade stability.
President Xi also called for joint resistance against “unilateral bullying” in a recent meeting with the Spanish Prime Minister, reinforcing China’s strategy of rallying international support.
U.S. Awaits Beijing’s Next Move
Despite the intensifying rhetoric, Washington maintains it is open to dialogue. The White House said President Trump remains “optimistic” about reaching a deal, though officials have emphasized that China must initiate the next round of talks.
Editorial Team
Reporter at Coindoo
Source: https://coindoo.com/china-calls-on-the-united-states-to-completely-cancel-tariffs/