Former U.S. President Donald Trump says it’s now up to China to take action on the ongoing trade dispute. The White House confirmed on Tuesday that Trump believes Beijing must come back to the negotiating table, following claims that China backed out of a major agreement involving Boeing aircraft.
“The ball is in China’s court. China needs to make a deal with us. We don’t have to make a deal with them,” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said during a press briefing. She added, “There’s no difference between China and any other country, except they are much larger.”
Boeing Deal at the Center of New Tensions
Trump’s comments follow a report by Bloomberg stating that Chinese airlines were told to stop accepting deliveries from U.S. aircraft manufacturer Boeing. Trump accused Beijing of backing out of the deal and called the move a breach of trust.
The aircraft deal was part of a previous trade understanding that had helped ease tensions between the world’s two largest economies.
Trump Escalates Tariffs on Chinese Imports
Since returning to office in early 2025, Trump has imposed sweeping tariffs on countries worldwide, but the largest have been directed at China. Many Chinese imports are now subject to up to 145% in additional tariffs. These new measures target a wide range of goods, from consumer electronics to industrial materials.
Trump also ended the “de minimis” rule that allowed goods under $800 to enter the U.S. without tax. This decision directly affects fast-growing Chinese e-commerce platforms like Shein and Temu, which relied heavily on the exemption to offer low-cost items.
China’s Economy Faces Headwinds
Despite the rising trade pressure, China reported better-than-expected economic growth in the first quarter. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, China’s GDP grew 5.4%, driven by a surge in exports ahead of the new U.S. tariffs.
However, senior Chinese official Sheng Laiyun admitted that the U.S. trade moves “will put certain pressures on our country’s foreign trade and economy.”
Global Reactions and Diplomatic Moves
Several countries are responding to Trump’s aggressive trade stance:
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Japan: Envoy Ryosei Akazawa said he is hopeful for a “win-win” result from trade talks in Washington. He is scheduled to meet U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent later this week.
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South Korea: Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok stated that delaying new tariffs is a top priority. “We aim to minimize uncertainty for Korean companies operating in the U.S. and globally,” Choi said.
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European Union: EU President Ursula von der Leyen said the bloc is presenting a united front. “We are setting out our position clearly,” she told Die Zeit, a German publication.
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Canada: Ottawa offered relief to automakers if they continue production within Canada, hoping to avoid a shift to the U.S. due to trade policy changes.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s postal service announced it will stop shipping goods to the U.S., calling Trump’s new tariffs “bullying.”
Renewed Accusations Over Past Trade Deals
On Truth Social, Trump accused China of failing to honor a previous trade deal negotiated during his first term. He said China bought only “a portion of what they agreed to buy” and blamed the Biden administration for allowing the deal to fall apart.
“China had zero respect for Biden,” Trump posted, renewing criticism of his predecessor’s handling of trade issues.
Technology and Agriculture in the Crosshairs
Trump has rolled out a 10% “baseline tariff” on many U.S. trading partners. However, some products—such as smartphones and laptops—have been temporarily excluded.
He also voiced strong support for American farmers, stating, “They are often put on the front line with our adversaries, such as China.”
In response to the tariffs, China imposed its own countermeasures, including a 125% levy on U.S. agricultural goods.
New Probe Targets Rare Earth Imports
Trump has launched a new investigation that could lead to more tariffs—this time on critical minerals and rare-earth metals used in electronics and green technologies. China controls much of the global supply of these materials and has already restricted exports of some rare earths.
The U.S. action follows news that Nvidia expects a $5.5 billion revenue hit due to new rules limiting chip sales to China.
What’s Next?
While China’s Foreign Ministry has not responded to the latest developments, many experts see this as a pivotal moment in global trade.
Boeing declined to comment on the halted deliveries, and it remains unclear if talks will resume soon.
