China urges US to scrap 'reciprocal tariffs' after electronics exemption

Beijing said it was still assessing the scope and impact of the US move.

China has called on the United States to “completely cancel” its reciprocal tariffs, following Washington’s move to exempt smartphones, laptops, and other consumer electronics from its sweeping tariff regime, AFP reported on Sunday.

“We urge the US to take a big step to correct its mistakes, completely cancel the wrong practice of ‘reciprocal tariffs’ and return to the right path of mutual respect,” a Chinese commerce ministry spokesperson was quoted as saying by AFP.

The appeal comes a day after US President Donald Trump’s administration announced a fresh round of exemptions from tariffs on select electronics, even as most Chinese goods remain subject to a 145% blanket duty. Beijing said it was still assessing the scope and impact of the US move.

In a pointed remark, the Chinese commerce ministry said, “The bell on a tiger's neck can only be untied by the person who tied it,” urging Washington to correct its tariff approach.

The development marks a renewed flashpoint in the ongoing US-China trade dispute. Just days earlier, China raised its tariffs on American goods from 84% to 125% after Washington ramped up duties on Chinese imports.