China on Monday said it was conducting a “full assessment” of a recent tariff ruling by the US Supreme Court and urged United States authorities to remove unilateral tariff measures imposed on trading partners, warning that confrontation between the two economies would be harmful.
The statement from China’s Commerce Ministry came days after the US top court struck down several tariffs introduced by President Donald Trump as part of his global trade policies, including measures targeting China.
Following the ruling, President Trump announced plans to impose a new tariff on imports from all countries, initially set at 10 percent and later raised to 15 percent, a move that reportedly surprised some officials within his administration. The proposed levies are based on Section 122 of US trade law, which allows temporary tariffs but requires congressional approval for extensions beyond 150 days.
China’s Commerce Ministry said US unilateral tariffs violated international trade rules and domestic law, adding that economic cooperation between China and the United States was beneficial for both sides, while conflict would be detrimental.
Trade and tariff issues are expected to dominate discussions ahead of President Trump’s planned visit to China in late March and early April, where he is scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Chinese officials also reiterated that Beijing would continue to closely monitor developments and take necessary measures to safeguard its economic interests.
The court ruling invalidated tariffs imposed on several Asian export-oriented economies, including South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan, creating uncertainty in global markets and supply chains, particularly in the technology and semiconductor sectors.
South Korea said it would maintain consultations with the United States to ensure balanced economic interests, while officials expressed concerns over potential impacts on key industries such as automobiles, batteries, and semiconductors.
Meanwhile, India reportedly delayed sending a trade delegation to Washington amid uncertainty over US tariff policies. In Europe, European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde warned that businesses require predictability rather than legal disputes, stressing that any new tariff measures should be clearly defined and legally compliant to avoid further disruptions.