Beijing said Monday It’s assessing the implications of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision invalidating a significant portion of the tariffs imposed by Donald Trump, but pressed Washington to eliminate its “unilateral” trade measures.
“We have taken note of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on tariffs and are currently conducting a comprehensive assessment of its content and impact,” a Ministry of Commerce spokesperson said in a statement, according to a translation. “We have also noted that the United States is planning alternative measures, such as trade investigations, in order to maintain increased tariffs on its trading partners. China will continue to closely monitor this situation and resolutely defend its interests.”
The Ministry urged the U.S. To cancel the unilateral tariffs imposed on its trading partners. China, the world’s second-largest economy and a primary trading partner of the United States, was particularly targeted by Trump’s aggressive tariff policy after he returned to the White House in January 2025.
The two countries engaged in a months-long trade war with global repercussions, exchanging tariffs and various restrictions before Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to a truce in October. Experts have cautioned about the fragility of that truce.
The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday struck down a large portion of Trump’s tariffs, ruling that the “economic emergency” invoked to bypass congressional approval was not substantiated. The decision removes a key tool the White House had used to pressure Beijing, potentially weakening Washington’s negotiating position ahead of scheduled talks.
Following the Supreme Court setback, Trump decreed a new 15 percent global tariff, set to accept effect February 24 for a period of 150 days, with sector-specific exemptions. The move, reported by the South China Morning Post, was an attempt to circumvent the court ruling using authority granted under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974.
Trump is scheduled to visit China from March 31 to April 2, according to a White House official. China has not yet confirmed the visit. Wendy Cutler, senior vice president at the Asia Society Policy Institute, and a former U.S. Trade representative, said the Supreme Court ruling has weakened Trump’s negotiating leverage, according to CNBC.
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said Sunday he expects existing trade agreements with China, the European Union, and other countries to remain in place. He asserted that Trump’s planned visit to China should not be an occasion for a trade standoff, but rather to “supervise the agreement” reached with Beijing.
The Chinese Ministry of Commerce stated that the reciprocal tariffs, tariffs on fentanyl, and other unilateral measures imposed by the U.S. Violate international economic and trade rules, as well as U.S. Domestic law, and serve the interests of no party. Some of the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on China were justified by the administration’s attribution of responsibility to China for the fentanyl traffic in the United States. Fentanyl, a potent opioid analgesic used in medicine, is diverted for illicit use and has been linked to numerous deaths in the U.S.
The Ministry reiterated the official Chinese mantra that “cooperation between China and the United States benefits both sides, and confrontation harms both sides.”
