China calls on the United States to completely eliminate mutual tariffs
China on Sunday called on the United States to completely eliminate mutual tariffs, following the US decision on Friday to exempt high-tech goods from them.
“We urge the United States to take a major step to correct its mistakes, completely abolish the wrong practice of imposing tit-for-tat tariffs, and return to the right track of mutual respect,” a Chinese Commerce Ministry spokesperson said in a statement.
Amid a trade war with China that has caused confusion in financial markets, the United States reversed its stance on Friday, deciding to exempt smartphones and computers from additional tariffs imposed by Donald Trump.
The Chinese Ministry of Commerce described the measure on Sunday as a small step, noting that it was evaluating its impact.
The exemptions, published Friday evening in a notice from US Customs and Border Protection, cover various electronic goods, including smartphones and components entering the United States from China, which are currently subject to an additional 145% tariff.
This decision will particularly benefit tech giants like Apple, which manufactures the iPhone and other flagship products in China.
Beijing responded to Trump on Friday by increasing tariffs on all US products to 125%, effective Saturday.
US customs data indicates that exempted goods represent more than 20% of Chinese imports, according to Rand Corporation researcher Gerard DePippo.
However, semiconductors may remain the target of sector-specific tariffs that Trump has proposed imposing on imports from all countries.
Trump said Saturday he would provide a very specific answer on Monday on whether he would impose future tariffs on semiconductors.
China is trying to present itself as a reliable partner, in contrast to Washington, after Trump launched his trade campaign and imposed tariffs on both allied and adversary countries.
The Chinese Ministry of Commerce said in a statement on Sunday that the tariffs imposed by Trump “didn’t solve any of the United States’ problems and undermined the global economic and trade order”.
Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao warned Friday during a phone call with the head of the World Trade Organization that tariffs could seriously harm developing countries.
Chinese President Xi Jinping begins a five-day tour of Southeast Asia on Monday for talks with leaders of Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia.
This comes after Xi said during a meeting in Beijing with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez that “China and the European Union must jointly resist the policy of unilateral coercion,” referring to Donald Trump’s economic policies.
China has repeatedly said it remains open to talks with the United States.
The White House says Trump remains optimistic about reaching an agreement with China, although administration officials have indicated they expect Beijing to take the lead.
