China calls on the United States to "completely cancel" tariffs

Chinese officials are urging U.S. President Donald Trump to fully cancel his so-called “reciprocal tariffs,” as trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies continue.

Earlier this week, Trump announced a 90-day pause on a broad set of global tariffs he had planned but simultaneously increased tariffs on Chinese imports to 145%.

“We urge the U.S. 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,” China’s Ministry of Commerce said in a statement.

On Friday, the Trump administration made a limited concession by announcing that certain technological products—including many made in China—would be exempt from the new tariffs.

China’s Ministry of Commerce described the exemptions as a “small step” and said that it was “evaluating the impact” of the decision.

The exemption list, which includes smartphones, computers, and semiconductors, was welcomed by technology companies and consumers concerned about rising prices for electronics.

Still, there was no indication of an immediate breakthrough in trade relations between the two countries.

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, when asked on CBS’s Face the Nation whether there were plans for President Trump to speak with Chinese President Xi Jinping, responded:

“Right now we don’t have any plans on that.”

Trump initially imposed a 54% tariff on Chinese imports at the beginning of April, which was later raised to 145%. In response, China introduced its own series of tariffs on U.S. goods—first at 34%, then 84%, and now 125%, with the latest rate taking effect on Saturday.

In its announcement of the latest round of tariffs, China’s commerce ministry said it would “fight to the end” if the U.S. “insists on provoking a tariff war or trade war.”

While traveling to Miami on Saturday, Trump said he would provide further details on the exemptions early next week.

The White House has maintained that the tariffs are part of a broader strategy to secure more favorable trade agreements with international partners.

Trump has argued that his approach is aimed at correcting what he views as imbalances in the global trade system and at encouraging the return of jobs and manufacturing to the United States.

However, the administration’s shifting tariff policies have caused significant volatility in financial markets and raised concerns about a slowdown in global trade, which could impact employment and national economies.

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