China has vowed to take “resolute and forceful measures” in response to what it alleges are U.S. violations of a recent trade agreement, specifically new AI chip export controls and plans to revoke Chinese student visas. This signals Beijing’s determination to protect its interests and a potential for significant escalation in the ongoing trade dispute.
The Chinese Commerce Ministry released a statement asserting that the U.S. practices “seriously violate the consensus” reached to de-escalate tariffs and restart stalled trade. This agreement, intended to provide a 90-day window for negotiations, appears to be unraveling under the weight of persistent strategic competition and mutual distrust.
China maintains it has upheld its end of the deal by canceling or suspending its own retaliatory tariffs. However, Beijing accuses the U.S. of “unilaterally provok[ing] new economic and trade frictions,” thereby increasing uncertainty in bilateral relations. The ministry’s explicit threat of forceful measures suggests that China is prepared to implement counter-actions if the U.S. does not change course.