Following the Donald Trump government’s legal setback in the US Supreme Court, China urged the Republican administration to give up the “unilateral” tariffs imposed on its trading partners.
In a statement, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce called on the American side to “cancel and refrain from imposing unilateral tariffs”, reiterating that “cooperation benefits both parties, while confrontation harms both”.
Furthermore, the body signaled that it is willing to hold “frank consultations” with the US as part of a sixth round of economic and trade negotiations. On Monday, the ministry said it was carrying out a “comprehensive assessment” of the impact of the US Supreme Court decision.
The publication comes after the U.S. Customs Service stopped collecting additional tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), in line with the Court’s ruling, and instead applied a 10% surcharge to imports based on Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974.
According to the Chinese trade ministry, the additional tariffs previously imposed by Washington included 10% linked to fentanyl and 34% of so-called “reciprocal tariffs”, of which 24% were suspended, which placed the effective additional level applied to China at 20%.
Beijing stated that it will continue to “comprehensively evaluate” the measures adopted by the US and that, depending on the evolution of the situation, it will decide “in due course” whether to adjust the countermeasures aimed at US tariffs.
Several countries remained cautious after Trump’s legal setback, evaluating the options available if the White House expanded its tariff agenda.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer clarified on Sunday that trade agreements reached with China, the European Union and other partners will remain in force despite the court ruling.
