As US-China escalate retaliatory trade measures, China urges full US tariff rollback after limited exemptions on tech products, calling the move insufficient.
China has called on the United States to completely eliminate its reciprocal tariffs, following Washington’s recent decision to exempt certain tech products. According to The Economic Times, this statement came on Sunday from China’s commerce ministry, which described the move as insufficient.
A spokesperson urged the US to review their errors and end what China calls a flawed practice of imposing reciprocal tariffs. The ministry added that Washington should return to “mutual respect” in trade relations.
On Friday, the US Customs and Border Protection announced that smartphones, laptops, memory chips, and other electronics would be excluded from the new global tariffs introduced earlier this month. The exemptions are expected to benefit American tech giants such as Apple, Nvidia, and Dell.
Apple, in particular, relies on Chinese manufacturing for its iPhones and other high-end devices. The relief could ease supply chain pressures and help maintain competitiveness in global markets.
However, despite the exemptions, most Chinese exports remain subject to a 145 percent tariff. China has been left out of a temporary 90-day tariff reprieve granted to some nations.
In response, Beijing has implemented its own set of retaliatory tariffs. As of Saturday, Chinese import duties of up to 125 percent on US goods have come into force.
China said it is currently assessing the potential impact of the U.S. decision. The ministry labelled the exemptions as only a minute step, indicating that broader action is required to mend trade ties.
Tensions between the world’s two largest economies remain high, with both sides standing firm on their respective trade policies. The situation continues to impact global markets and supply chains, particularly in the technology sector.
