China’s commerce ministry says it is assessing the Supreme Court tariff ruling and urges the US to lift unilateral tariffs, arguing measures like reciprocal and fentanyl tariffs violate trade rules and US law. The statement lands ahead of an early-April Trump–Xi meeting window.
Summary:
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China’s commerce ministry says it is conducting a “full assessment” of the Supreme Court ruling on Trump-era tariffs
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Beijing urges the US to lift unilateral tariffs on trading partners
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Ministry says measures such as reciprocal tariffs and fentanyl tariffs violate international trade rules and US domestic law
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Comments land as Trump pivots to a temporary across-the-board tariff after the ruling, seeking alternative legal pathways
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The backdrop includes an upcoming Trump–Xi meeting window (March 31 – April 2 are the current dates for this ) that could raise the stakes for tariff messaging and leverage
China’s Commerce Ministry said it is making a “full assessment” of the implications of a recent US Supreme Court decision that struck down much of President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariff regime, while urging Washington to remove what it called unilateral tariff measures on its trading partners.
In its statement, the ministry argued that US unilateral actions, including reciprocal-style tariffs and “fentanyl” tariffs, violate international trade rules as well as US domestic law, and are not in the interests of any party. It said China would “firmly defend” its interests as it evaluates how the court’s ruling and the White House’s response may affect trade ties.
The comments come as the US administration moves to rebuild tariff leverage using alternative authorities after the Supreme Court curtailed the president’s ability to impose broad tariffs under emergency powers. Trump ordered a temporary global tariff and launched new trade probes under other legal frameworks, underscoring that the ruling may limit one tool but not end tariff uncertainty for partners.
For Beijing, the message is twofold: first, to frame the US move as legally and procedurally flawed; and second, to push for a rollback of unilateral measures while signalling readiness to retaliate or defend core interests if pressure persists. The ministry’s language also sets a marker ahead of a key political window, with Trump expected to travel to China from March 31 to April 2 for high-level talks, a timeframe that effectively makes early April a deadline for both sides to clarify negotiating positions.
Net, China is projecting firmness while keeping the door open to engagement, but its emphasis on legality and mutual interest suggests Beijing will seek concessions on tariffs and predictability on trade rules as central asks in any near-term diplomacy.
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