Rising Tensions and Grounded Deals: China Pushes Back in Tariff Dispute with U.S.

China has urged the United States to remove its sweeping tariffs on Chinese imports, signaling that doing so would show President Donald Trump’s genuine intention to resolve the ongoing trade dispute. While the Trump administration has suggested that negotiations are underway, a Chinese official has firmly stated that no trade talks have taken place. As the trade war escalates, China has retaliated by returning Boeing aircraft it previously ordered, a move that reflects its growing frustration.

The conflict has intensified, with the U.S. imposing import duties of up to 145% on goods from China, prompting Beijing to strike back with tariffs of up to 125% on American exports. Speaking out, Commerce Ministry spokesman He Yadong called on Washington to dismantle all “unilateral tariff measures” if it truly wants a resolution. “The person who tied the bell must untie it,” he remarked, emphasizing that the U.S. initiated the dispute and should take the first step to end it.

Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun confirmed that no discussions or consultations regarding tariffs had been held with the U.S., dismissing contrary reports as false. This contradicts President Trump’s previous statements claiming that trade talks were “active.” U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also clarified that no negotiations had begun, though he noted that there is room for a significant trade agreement and hoped for a de-escalation in what he called an “unsustainable” conflict.

President Trump, attempting to strike a more diplomatic tone, said he would be “very nice” during future negotiations with Beijing. However, his rhetoric quickly shifted after China’s latest actions. On his Truth Social platform, he criticized China for refusing to accept the Boeing planes it had committed to buy, and accused the country of harming the U.S. economy for years. He also reignited his claims about China’s connection to the deadly flow of fentanyl into the United States.

The CEO of Boeing, Kelly Ortberg, confirmed that China had already returned two U.S.-made planes due to ongoing trade tensions, with another return expected soon. This marks a significant setback for the aviation sector and highlights how high-profile American industries are being directly impacted by the growing standoff. Boeing’s losses could signal broader economic consequences if the dispute remains unresolved.

In an effort to manage the fallout, China’s Commerce Ministry held a roundtable meeting with representatives from over 80 foreign companies to address the impact of U.S. tariffs on their business operations within China. Vice Commerce Minister Ling Ji encouraged those companies to view the challenging climate as a chance to innovate and adapt. The message was clear: despite increasing pressure, China intends to reinforce its global economic partnerships and maintain a firm stance in the face of U.S. actions.