BEIJING — China is calling on the United States to fully eliminate its reciprocal tariffs, following Washington’s recent decision to grant limited exemptions on certain electronic products and chipmaking equipment.
In a statement released Sunday, a spokesperson from China’s Ministry of Commerce described the U.S. move as only a “small step” and pressed for more substantial action. “We urge the U.S. to make a big correction, completely cancel the wrong practice of ‘reciprocal tariffs,’ and return to the path of mutual respect,” the spokesperson said.
The remarks follow a Friday announcement by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection office, which stated that several technology products—including smartphones, laptops, memory chips, and related hardware—would be exempt from the broad tariffs imposed earlier this month. The levies, introduced under the Trump administration, have continued to shape U.S.-China trade relations.
China’s reaction remains cautious. While acknowledging the exemptions, the commerce ministry noted that it is still evaluating the impact of the decision on trade and industry.
Meanwhile, China implemented its own set of retaliatory tariffs on Saturday, with import duties reaching as high as 125% on select American goods. The move underscores Beijing’s determination to stand firm amid escalating trade tensions with its largest trading partner.
The newly announced exemptions are expected to provide relief to major U.S. tech companies such as Apple, Nvidia, and Dell—all of which rely heavily on Chinese manufacturing or component suppliers. Apple, in particular, may benefit, as many of its flagship products like the iPhone are assembled in China.
Despite these exemptions, most Chinese goods remain subject to a steep 145% tariff rate, following China’s exclusion from a recent 90-day U.S. tariff reprieve.
As both economic giants weigh their next steps, the latest developments signal that a complete resolution to their long-standing trade dispute remains out of reach.
