China criticised the US on Monday for “seriously violating” a trade truce agreed in Geneva last month, an agreement that temporarily reduced steep tariffs on both sides.
The Commerce Ministry denounced Washington’s moves to stop the sale of chip design software to China, issuing warnings against the use of Huawei-made chips, and revoking Chinese student visas.
“We urge the US to work with China to immediately correct relevant wrong practices,” the Commerce Ministry said in a statement. “If the US insists on its own way and continues to damage China's interests, China will continue to take resolute and forceful measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.”
After a breakthrough in early May, Washington lowered tariffs imposed on goods from China from 145% to 30%. Beijing’s retaliatory tariffs, meanwhile, were lowered from 125% to 10%.
While the deal lasts 90 days, allowing US and Chinese negotiators to reach a more substantial agreement, tensions have since been ratcheting up between the two sides.
Trump stoked the hostility on Friday, accusing Beijing of violating the truce, without giving details.
“So much for being Mr. NICE GUY," Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer later said China had not been removing non-tariff barriers, as per the agreement. He notably criticised Beijing for placing US companies on blacklists and restricting exports of rare earth magnets to the US.
Both countries are in a race to develop advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, with Washington seeking to curb China’s access to the most advanced computer chips.
“Instead of reflecting on itself, it [the US] has turned the tables and unreasonably accused China of violating the consensus, which is seriously contrary to the facts,” the Commerce Ministry said in Monday’s statement.
This Wednesday, the US is set to double its current tariffs on steel and aluminium from 25% to 50%.
