China issued its first official position after U.S. President Donald Trump said he would raise the provisional import tariff to 15% worldwide following a ruling that the reciprocal tariff was illegal, saying it is "conducting a related assessment." It also urged the cancellation of unilateral tariff measures.
China's Ministry of Commerce Spokesperson issued a statement on the 23rd, saying, "We have taken note that the U.S. Supreme Court released the ruling results in the tariff litigation case and are conducting a comprehensive assessment of the relevant details and impact."
The Spokesperson said, "China has consistently opposed unilateral tariff hike measures of all kinds and has repeatedly emphasized that there are no winners in a trade war and no way out in protectionism," adding, "The United States' reciprocal tariff and the fentanyl tariff and other unilateral measures not only violated international economic and trade rules but also violated U.S. domestic law, and they do not serve the interests of any party."
The Spokesperson continued, "As facts have repeatedly proven, when China and the United States cooperate, all benefit; when they fight, all are hurt," adding, "China urges the United States to cancel the unilateral tariff measures it has imposed on its trade partners." This is interpreted as a somewhat principled stance as the first message from the Chinese government since the U.S. court ruling.
Meanwhile, state media mentioned legal legitimacy regarding the Trump administration's move to apply Section 122 of the Trade Act to impose a 15% global provisional tariff for 150 days. "Focus on Current Affairs," a China Central Television (CCTV) affiliate, quoted an expert as saying, "If the United States reduces or cancels the related measures, China will also adjust depending on the situation, but if the United States imposes new tariffs through other legal means, China will consider whether to take corresponding measures."