United States President Donald Trump has accused China of derailing a tariff agreement, reached earlier this month between the two biggest world economies. Under the announcement on 12 May, after a much-awaited breakthrough in Geneva, the US and China agreed to suspend most new duties imposed since early April.
While taking to Truth Social, President Trump wrote, “China, perhaps not surprisingly to some, HAS TOTALLY VIOLATED ITS AGREEMENT WITH US." US president gave no specifics but said China had been in “grave economic danger” as a result of the tariffs before Washington stepped in with what he called a “FAST DEAL.”
“I saw what was happening and didn’t like it—it-for them, not for us,” Trump wrote, adding, “So much for being Mr. NICE GUY!” Multiple reports said this week that the Trump Administration has ordered US companies to halt shipment of high-end goods to China, including chip design software and special chemicals. Experts have warned that this could trigger another escalation between the two economically giant nations.
The agreement on 12 May ceased the 34 per cent tariff hike introduced on 2 April for 90 days, with China taking reciprocal action. Both the nations had also committed to rolling back the tariff increase introduced on 8 April while maintaining a 10 per cent baseline duty on mutual imports. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told reporters on Friday that China had not removed certain non-tariff barriers as agreed under the deal. “
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They removed the tariff like we did, but some of the countermeasures they’ve slowed on,” he said. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent echoed concern, informing reporters that negotiations were “a bit stalled” and may now require direct involvement from Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. He said he expected talks to resume in the coming weeks.
On Friday, Beijing urged Washington to “immediately rectify its erroneous actions, cease discriminatory restrictions against China and jointly uphold the mutual consensus reached at the high-level negotiations in Geneva.” As part of the consensus, Beijing had also agreed to ease non-tariff measures such as export controls on US goods.
The changes were due to take effect on 14 May, alongside the creation of a bilateral consultation mechanism for future trade steps. The tensions between the two countries have spiralled once again despite what experts describe as positive and constructive talks in Geneva due to hostile posturing by trading partners.
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