President Donald Trump on Friday accused China of breaking a recent agreement intended to deescalate the ongoing trade dispute between the two countries.
The statement, released via Truth Social, comes amid rising tensions over international tariffs and a new legal challenge to the administration’s latest trade policy.
Trump’s comments follow a short-lived deal struck in mid-May aimed at reducing the steep tariffs both countries had imposed on one another earlier this year.
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In April, the Trump administration levied a 145% tariff on Chinese imports entering the U.S. In retaliation, China implemented a 125% tariff on U.S. exports.
In mid-May, both governments agreed to reduce their tariffs—China lowered its tariff rate to 10%, while the U.S. dropped its rate to 30%.
The decision was intended to stabilize international trade and address economic disruptions caused by the escalating tariff war.
However, in a post published Friday, President Trump stated that China has violated the terms of the agreement.
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“The very high Tariffs I set made it virtually impossible for China to TRADE into the United States marketplace which is, by far, number one in the World,” Trump wrote.
“We went, in effect, COLD TURKEY with China, and it was devastating for them. Many factories closed and there was, to put it mildly, ‘civil unrest.’”
He continued, “Because of this deal, everything quickly stabilized and China got back to business as usual. China, perhaps not surprisingly to some, HAS TOTALLY VIOLATED ITS AGREEMENT WITH US. So much for being Mr. NICE GUY.”
🚨President Trump: China violated their agreement with us.
“So much for being Mr. Nice Guy!” pic.twitter.com/Ln6cXYNpP0
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) May 30, 2025
The specific nature of the alleged violation was not detailed in the president’s statement, but it marks a shift in tone following a temporary easing in trade tensions just weeks ago.
Meanwhile, the administration’s tariff policies remain under legal review. On Thursday, the U.S. Court of International Trade ruled that the process used to enact the April tariffs was “unlawful,” temporarily blocking their enforcement.
The following day, a federal appeals court issued a stay of that decision, allowing the tariffs to remain in effect while legal proceedings continue.
The conflicting court rulings have added uncertainty to the enforcement and future of Trump’s tariff policy.
The administration has maintained that its tariff strategy is essential to protecting American industry and restoring balance to international trade relationships.
President Trump has previously emphasized that his administration’s tariff actions have had a significant impact on China’s economy.
According to the president, the initial imposition of the 145% tariff caused widespread disruption to Chinese manufacturers and contributed to what he described as “civil unrest.”
The White House has not yet released additional details about what it considers to be China’s violation of the May agreement.
There is no official confirmation from Chinese officials regarding the status of the deal or any change in their tariff commitments.
The ongoing legal battles and rising rhetoric may indicate a renewed phase in the U.S.–China trade standoff.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is expected to respond to the latest court developments and provide further guidance on the administration’s legal position in the coming days.
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