US-China tariffs moved back into focus on Monday after China urged Washington to cancel unilateral trade measures following a US Supreme Court ruling that struck down key elements of President Donald Trump’s tariff policy.
China’s Ministry of Commerce said it was conducting a comprehensive assessment of the ruling’s impact and called on the United States to withdraw tariff measures imposed on trading partners. The statement followed a decision by the US Supreme Court on Friday that President Donald Trump did not have the authority under a 1977 law to impose certain tariffs he had used to introduce sudden levies on individual countries.
The ruling, passed by a six-to-three majority, marked a significant judicial setback for Trump’s trade strategy, which has reshaped global supply chains and heightened tensions with major economies, including China.
In response, Trump announced a new 10 per cent global duty on imports under a separate legal authority before increasing the rate to 15 per cent on Saturday. The new 15 per cent tariff is scheduled to take effect on Tuesday and is expected to remain in force for 150 days, with exemptions covering selected products.
“China urges the United States to cancel its unilateral tariff measures on its trading partners,” the commerce ministry said. “There are no winners in a trade war and protectionism leads nowhere.”
China’s foreign ministry added that it was closely monitoring potential alternative measures by Washington, including trade investigations that could be used to maintain higher tariff levels despite the court ruling. It stated that Beijing would resolutely safeguard its economic interests.
The development comes weeks ahead of a planned visit by Trump to China, his first trip to the country since beginning his second term in office. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer has said that an April meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping is not intended to focus on trade disputes.
Despite the Supreme Court’s decision, Greer told US media that existing trade agreements with China, the European Union and other partners would remain in place.
The ruling represents one of the most significant legal challenges to Trump’s economic agenda since his return to office. His tariff policy has been a central component of his approach to trade, aimed at reshaping global commerce and pressuring foreign governments over market access and industrial policy.
The United States had previously threatened additional tariffs on the semiconductor sector after concluding that Beijing’s practices were “unreasonable”, though implementation of those measures has been delayed until June 2027. Beijing has consistently opposed such actions, accusing Washington of using tariffs to suppress Chinese industries.
The renewed tariff dispute adds uncertainty to global trade flows, particularly in sectors linked to advanced manufacturing, energy technology and critical mineral supply chains. Markets are now assessing whether further legal or executive steps by Washington could prolong tensions between the world’s two largest economies.
