Top US officials have warned that recently announced exemptions to sweeping import tariffs may be short-lived, even as China called on the Trump administration to abandon its aggressive trade policy altogether.
The two economic superpowers remain embroiled in a tense trade dispute, which escalated when US President Donald Trump launched a series of broad tariffs, targeting numerous imports—with a particular focus on Chinese goods.
In retaliation, Beijing imposed a 125 per cent tariff on American products, while Washington’s levies on Chinese imports have surged to 145 per cent.
On Friday, the US signalled a slight easing of its stance by announcing temporary exemptions for key electronic goods, including smartphones, laptops, and semiconductors—products largely sourced from China.
The decision offers a brief reprieve to American tech giants such as Nvidia, Dell, and Apple, which manufacture much of their high-end hardware in China.
However, China’s Commerce Ministry dismissed the exemptions as merely a “small step,” urging the United States to abandon the entire tariff regime and return to a path of mutual respect and fair trade.
The exemptions might prove fleeting, with some of the reprieved electronics already earmarked for new sector-specific tariffs linked to national security.
President Trump is expected to outline further details on Monday, while Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick suggested that tariffs on semiconductors could be implemented within two months.
The White House previously stunned markets by announcing broad import taxes on several trade partners, only to issue a 90-day deferral shortly after—for most countries, that is. China notably did not receive the same grace period.
Although the administration insists the ultimate goal is a trade agreement with Beijing, officials have maintained that it is up to China to make the first move.
Trump’s trade envoy, Jamieson Greer, told CBS’s Face the Nation on Sunday that no talks are currently planned between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
In response to growing uncertainty, China is working to position itself as a reliable partner to other global economies.
President Xi is set to begin a five-day tour of Southeast Asia on Monday, holding talks with the leaders of Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia—all key players in regional trade.
Meanwhile, Trump is facing criticism from US financial heavyweights, including some of his own supporters on Wall Street, who argue that the tariff strategy is backfiring—fuelling market instability, driving down the dollar, and eroding consumer confidence.
Despite the backlash, the White House insists progress is being made, pointing to multiple countries now entering negotiations in hopes of reaching agreements before the 90-day deadline expires.
“We’re working around the clock, day and night, sharing paper, receiving offers, and giving feedback to these countries,” Greer said.
