The call has come from Beijing’s Commerce Ministry after the US Supreme Court struck down most of Donald Trump’s duties introduced last year
China has urged the US to cancel the unilateral tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump following a US Supreme Court ruling that effectively struck down most of the measures.
Trump imposed tariffs on many trading partners early last year, accusing them of unfair trade practices. Most faced a universal 10% baseline tariff, with additional surcharges for large trade imbalances. Late last week, however, the Supreme Court ruled Trump lacked authority to impose tariffs under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), effectively voiding most of the measures.
In a statement on Monday, the Chinese Commerce Ministry urged Washington to lift the tariffs, arguing they now violate even US domestic law.
“China has consistently opposed all forms of unilateral tariff increases and has repeatedly emphasized that there are no winners in a trade war,” the ministry said. “The US’s unilateral measures… violate both international trade rules and US domestic law. China urges the US to cancel its unilateral tariff measures.”
US-China relations have been strained for years, particularly over economic and technological issues, but Trump’s tariff hikes last year triggered a full-scale trade war. US tariffs on Chinese goods at one point reached 145%, while Chinese tariffs on US goods hit 125%. In November, a one-year pause in tit-for-tat escalations was reached under which both sides cut tariffs to around 10% in some sectors.
A comprehensive trade deal is reportedly expected to be discussed during Trump’s state visit to Beijing in late March. Some analysts say the Supreme Court ruling strengthens China’s negotiating position given that it curtails the Trump administration’s unilateral tariff authority.
Trump reacted furiously to the ruling, signing an order imposing a temporary 15% global tariff under a different law. According to Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, the administration is preparing alternative legal measures to reimpose permanent tariffs, including trade investigations into “unfair trade practices” targeting major partners. Greer later said the US expects partners that agreed to deals under tariff pressure – including the UK, South Korea, and the EU – to “stand by” their commitments despite the ruling.
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US partners expressed mixed reactions to the ruling. The European Commission demanded “full clarity” on US intentions and insisted Washington honor the 2025 agreement capping tariffs. India reportedly delayed a trade delegation headed to Washington aimed at finalizing an interim trade deal, citing “fresh uncertainty” after the court decision and Trump’s angry reaction.
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