China on Wednesday released a white paper titled “China’s Position on Some Issues Concerning China-U.S. Economic and Trade Relations”, outlining its stance on escalating trade tensions with the United States. The document comes just days after former U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a sweeping 104% tariff on Chinese imports, triggering fears of a renewed global trade war.
Released by the State Council Information Office, the six-chapter white paper emphasizes the significance of China-U.S. trade ties for the stability of the global economy and criticizes the rising trend of U.S. unilateralism and protectionist measures in recent years.
The white paper begins by reaffirming that China does not seek a trade surplus and highlights that both sides have benefited substantially from bilateral cooperation. It underscores China’s implementation of the phase-one trade deal by enhancing intellectual property protection, prohibiting forced technology transfers, and expanding market access for food, agriculture, and financial services.
China reiterated its commitment to free trade and WTO norms, pointing to continued efforts in tariff reduction, business environment improvements, and fair subsidy practices. However, the paper strongly criticizes the United States for undermining previous trade commitments by expanding definitions of national security, overusing export controls, and applying retaliatory tariffs.
The release of the white paper is seen as a direct response to Trump’s tariff escalation. Besides the 104% duty on Chinese goods, new tariffs have also been imposed on the European Union (20%), Japan (24%), Vietnam (46%), South Korea (4%), and Taiwan (3.6%).
The white paper ends with a call for resolution through dialogue and cooperation based on mutual respect and benefit. “History has shown cooperation benefits both sides, while confrontation results in mutual loss,” the document states, urging Washington to step back from tariff-led aggression and return to a more constructive and balanced dialogue.
