U.S.-China relations are souring once again, with Beijing alleging that recent American actions, including AI chip export controls and plans to revoke Chinese student visas, violate a critical trade truce. This accusation threatens to derail the fragile 90-day negotiation period and highlights the persistent mistrust and competition between the two global powers.
The Chinese Commerce Ministry released a statement on Monday, asserting that the U.S. practices “seriously violate the consensus” reached to de-escalate tariffs and restart stalled trade. This agreement, which provided a temporary pause to President Trump’s trade wars, appears to be under significant strain as underlying differences, particularly in the realm of advanced technology, resurface.
China maintains it has upheld its end of the deal by canceling or suspending its own retaliatory tariffs. However, Beijing accuses the U.S. of “unilaterally provok[ing] new economic and trade frictions,” thereby exacerbating uncertainty and instability. The ministry’s warning of unspecified retaliation suggests that China is prepared to respond forcefully, potentially escalating the trade conflict.
