BEIJING: China on Sunday called on the United States to “completely cancel” its reciprocal tariffs after Washington’s decision to exempt certain consumer electronics and semiconductor manufacturing equipment from punitive duties.
In a statement, China’s Ministry of Commerce described the US tariff exemptions as a “small step” in the right direction but reiterated its demand for a full rollback of the broader tariff regime.
China described Trump’s tariffs as a “wrong practice” that harms the global economy.
“We urge the US to… take a big step to correct its mistakes, completely cancel the wrong practice of ‘reciprocal tariffs’ and return to the right path of mutual respect,” said a ministry spokesperson.
The appeal comes days after the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced exemptions from the sweeping tariffs imposed earlier this month by President Donald Trump.
The exemptions cover widely-used technology products including smartphones, laptops, memory chips, solar cells, and flash drives—many of which are assembled in China.
US tech giants such as Apple, Nvidia, and Dell are expected to benefit significantly from the decision.
Washington’s move came amid mounting concern over the economic fallout of the escalating trade war, which has shaken global markets and raised fears of a broader economic slowdown.
US Customs data cited by senior RAND Corporation researcher Gerard DiPippo indicates that the exempted goods represent more than 20 percent of all Chinese imports affected by the tariffs.
Despite the limited relief, a 20 percent blanket tariff on all Chinese products remains in effect, and the Trump administration is reportedly considering further industry-specific levies, particularly targeting semiconductors.
President Trump told reporters on Saturday that he would issue a “very specific” update on possible future duties on Monday.
China, meanwhile, implemented retaliatory tariffs of up to 125 percent on US goods effective Saturday, standing firm in response to Washington’s trade policies.
The Chinese Ministry of Commerce stated that reciprocal tariffs had “not only failed to solve any of the United States’ own problems but have seriously undermined the global economic and trade order.”
Commerce Minister Wang Wentao also voiced concerns on Friday during a call with the head of the World Trade Organization, warning that US tariffs could “inflict serious harm” on developing countries.
Beijing has consistently maintained that it remains open to negotiations but insists that talks must be based on mutual respect and equality.
“China’s position on China-U.S. economic and trade relations is consistent,” the commerce ministry spokesperson said.
“There is no winner in a trade war and no way out for protectionism.”
Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to begin a five-day tour of Southeast Asia on Monday, with stops in Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia.
The trip is being viewed as part of China’s broader effort to position itself as a stable economic partner amid uncertainty over US trade policies.
The White House has said that President Trump remains “optimistic” about reaching a trade deal with China, though US officials maintain that the next move must come from Beijing.
