china Accuses US of ⁢Trade Deal Breach, Raising Trade War Fears

Updated June 3, 2025

Tensions flared between the ⁣United ⁢States‍ and China as China accused the U.S. of breaching a trade deal brokered Jan. 17 by then-Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping.The​ accusation, made​ June 2 by China’s Ministry of Commerce, centers on a 90-day trade truce established in Geneva on May 12. The agreement‌ aimed to ease trade‌ tensions through tariff reductions and barrier easing.

The accusation follows claims by Trump on May 30 ⁢that China “totally ‌violated” the agreement,specifically citing delays in export licenses for ‍rare earth minerals vital‍ to U.S. technology and ⁣defense ​sectors. China countered, alleging the U.S.⁢ undermined the deal by imposing discriminatory measures, including export ⁤controls ⁣on AI chips, halting chip design software sales, and planning to revoke visas for Chinese students.

China’s commerce Ministry called ⁢the U.S.actions a ⁢”serious distortion of facts” and vowed unspecified “resolute and forceful measures.” The ​U.S. has voiced concerns over China’s slow progress in easing rare earth export restrictions. Treasury⁣ Secretary Scott Bessent suggested a Trump-xi​ call to‌ resolve ⁣the impasse.The back-and-forth accusations have sparked fears of a‍ renewed trade war, causing slight dips ⁤in global stock indexes.

The ⁤dispute highlights ongoing concerns about fairness⁣ in international trade. China maintains the U.S. ‍has enforced tariffs that contradict ‍the⁢ agreement’s intent to create a more equitable ⁣trading environment. The ⁣U.S. insists it has adhered to ‍the agreement ⁤while protecting American interests. The situation underscores the need​ for continued dialogue to foster ​a more stable trade framework.

What’s next

As both ⁢nations navigate ⁤their ​economic relationship, the risk ‌of‌ escalation remains, potentially complicating future negotiations. Observers suggest close monitoring of upcoming trade data and diplomatic‌ engagements will be crucial in⁢ gauging the future trajectory of U.S.-China trade relations.