China stays silent on Trump’s new tariffs, pursues strategic restraint

China’s foreign ministry expressed opposition to “any form of unilateral tariffs” after President Donald Trump announced new duties on Chinese imports, but Beijing did not launch retaliatory measures.

The new U.S. tariff rate of 12.5% is only 2.5 percentage points higher than the earlier 10% provisional tariff and is part of a broader levy covering about 60 trading partners. China views the increase as manageable and sees an opportunity as the United States spreads its protectionist policy across multiple markets, reducing China’s relative disadvantage.

The restraint reflects a shift from earlier confrontational tactics; Beijing continues to leverage its control over rare‑earths and critical minerals while keeping diplomatic channels open. The approach also follows a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling limiting the president’s authority to impose sweeping tariffs.