Beijing: China on Monday said it is conducting a comprehensive assessment of the impact of a recent ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court that struck down global tariffs imposed during the presidency of Donald Trump under emergency powers legislation.
In a statement, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said it has taken note of the court’s decision declaring the tariffs illegal and is carefully evaluating its contents and broader implications for international trade.
The reaction from Beijing comes ahead of Trump’s planned visit to China from March 31 to April 2, during which he is expected to hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The visit is being closely watched amid ongoing efforts to stabilise trade relations between the world’s two largest economies.
On Sunday, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said he does not expect the Supreme Court ruling to affect Washington’s discussions with Beijing. Speaking to ABC News, Greer said the goal of the meeting with President Xi is to maintain stability and ensure China is fulfilling its commitments under the interim trade deal, including purchases of American agricultural products and Boeing aircraft.
“I don’t see this really affecting that meeting,” Greer said.
Under the interim arrangement, the United States reduced tariffs on Chinese goods to 30 per cent, while China cut duties on U.S. products to 10 per cent.
The Supreme Court ruled on Friday that the Trump administration’s use of emergency powers to impose tariffs on trading partners was unlawful. Responding to media queries, a Chinese Commerce Ministry spokesperson reiterated China’s long-standing opposition to unilateral tariff hikes, warning that there are no winners in a trade war and that protectionism leads to a dead end.
The spokesperson said unilateral U.S. measures, including reciprocal tariffs and fentanyl-related tariffs, not only violate international trade rules but also contravene U.S. domestic law and harm all parties involved.
“China urges the United States to lift the unilateral tariffs imposed on trading partners,” the spokesperson said, adding that cooperation benefits both sides, while confrontation leads to losses for all.
China also noted that the U.S. is considering alternative tools, such as trade investigations, to maintain tariffs despite the court ruling. “China will closely monitor these developments and firmly safeguard its own interests,” the spokesperson said.