China has urged the United States to withdraw its unilateral tariff measures. The demand comes as Washington moves to impose a 15% global tariff under new legal grounds following a Supreme Court ruling that struck down previous measures as unconstitutional.
According to China Daily on the 24th, China's Ministry of Commerce demanded that the U.S. rescind its unilateral tariff measures. The ministry said it would closely monitor "alternative measures" the U.S. is pursuing to maintain high tariffs.
The dispute stems from President Donald Trump's tariff policy. The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled Trump's reciprocal tariffs unconstitutional. In response, Trump announced a 10% tariff under Section 122 of the Trade Act, then quickly raised it to 15%.
Before the court ruling, U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports stood at 37%. This included the 2.5% most-favored-nation rate plus Section 301 tariffs (8.4%), Section 232 tariffs (11%), fentanyl-related tariffs (10%), and reciprocal tariffs (5.1%). The ruling invalidated the fentanyl and reciprocal tariffs, lowering the base rate to 21.9%. However, the new 15% global tariff pushed the effective rate back up to 28.6%.
A spokesperson for China's Ministry of Commerce said, "We are comprehensively assessing the Supreme Court ruling and its implications." The spokesperson added, "China has consistently opposed all forms of unilateral tariff measures."
The spokesperson continued, "As the U.S. prepares alternative measures such as trade investigations, we will monitor them closely and take resolute action to protect our legitimate interests." The spokesperson added, "When China and the U.S. cooperate, both benefit. When they confront each other, both lose."