China on Monday lashed out at the United States for making “false charges” and “unreasonable accusations” over the implementation of the recent trade pact, warning that Beijing would “resolutely take strong measures” if Washington did not correct its actions.
The rebuke follows a series of remarks by high-ranking American officials, including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who on Sunday alleged that China was “slow-rolling” the Geneva agreement reached last month. The temporary pact, brokered after high-level talks, had led both countries to slash reciprocal tariffs for a three-month period.
The escalating spat comes weeks after President Donald Trump imposed punitive 125 per cent tariffs on Chinese imports, reigniting tensions between the world’s two largest economies.
In response to the allegations, China’s Ministry of Commerce issued a strongly worded statement on Monday, stating: “The US has made false charges and unreasonably accused China of violating the consensus, which is quite opposite to the facts.”
It added: “China firmly rejects these unreasonable accusations.”
President Trump last week reiterated that “the Chinese government had totally violated the deal”, though he did not provide details to support the claim.
China countered the allegation, with the commerce ministry asserting that it had remained “sincere in implementing the consensus” while “firm in safeguarding its rights and interests.”
Also read: Trump accuses China of violating tariff agreement
The ministry further accused Washington of adopting “a series of discriminatory, restrictive measures against China” since the Geneva understanding. It pointed to continued curbs on artificial intelligence chips, restrictions on chip design software sales, and the revocation of student visas for Chinese nationals in the United States.
“We urge the US to meet China halfway, immediately correct its wrongful actions, and jointly uphold the consensus from the Geneva trade talks,” the ministry said. “If not, China will continue to resolutely take strong measures to uphold its legitimate rights and interests,” it warned.
Despite the diplomatic tensions, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent voiced optimism about a potential resolution. Speaking on CBS’s Face the Nation, Bessent said: “I’m confident... this will be ironed out” during an upcoming conversation between President Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.
He acknowledged, however, that “China was withholding some of the products that they agreed to release,” specifically citing rare earth materials.
On the timing of the possible Trump-Xi call, Bessent noted: “I believe we will see something very soon.”
The ongoing discord between Washington and Beijing had an immediate ripple effect on global financial markets on Friday, with mixed trading trends observed after Trump’s public remarks accusing China of non-compliance.
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