China Hits Back at Trump’s Trade Accusations, Claims U.S. Violating Truce

In a growing trade dispute, China countered accusations from the Trump administration claiming that the U.S. is the one breaching their newly formed agreement, amidst a backdrop of increasing restrictions and economic tensions.

In a fierce response to President Trump’s social media allegations, China has accused the United States of "severely undermining" the trade truce established last month. On June 2, 2025, China’s Ministry of Commerce addressed the accusations made by Trump regarding China's compliance with the agreed-upon terms, labeling them as “baseless.” The trade deal, formed during negotiations in Geneva, was aimed at rolling back tariffs and easing trade tensions between the two economic giants for a window of 90 days.

China's officials argued that they have been upholding their obligations responsibly and criticized the United States for introducing "discriminatory restrictive measures," which they claim have escalated the trade frictions. Examples of these U.S. actions include imposing restrictions on chip design software sales to China and revoking visas for Chinese students.

The ministry further contended that the Trump administration’s actions had created uncertainty in the bilateral economic climate and asserted that the United States should reflect on its own misconduct rather than deflect blame onto China. They indicated intent to take protective measures to ensure China's interests are safeguarded in light of increased U.S. pressures.

The volatile back-and-forth raises doubts over the potential for a permanent agreement within the established deadlines, as both nations grapple with the implications of the trade truce. Of particular concern for the United States is its reliance on rare earth magnets crucial for various industries including automotive and technology, where China holds a dominant position in production.

Jamieson Greer, the U.S. trade representative, expressed worries during an interview that China may not be complying with the agreement as anticipated, since critical supplies of minerals have not met expected standards. The temporary relief provided by the agreement, which saw the U.S. decrease tariffs to 30% and China to 10%, now appears vulnerable under the strain of escalating trade hostilities.

Reporting from Taipei by Amy Chang Chien contributed to this article. Daisuke Wakabayashi covers economic and geopolitical developments for The Times based in Seoul.