China's top trade official conveyed serious concerns to US counterparts on Thursday, July 30, regarding Washington's recent trade restrictions, according to state media reports.

The tensions follow a period of relative calm after a trade truce was reached last October when US President Donald Trump met with Chinese President Xi Jinping. However, fresh US tariffs imposed last week on China and 59 other countries over alleged forced labour issues have reignited disputes. Beijing condemned these duties and cautioned Washington against escalating a trade war.

Additionally, China accused the United States of attempting to "suppress" Chinese companies after Washington banned imports of humanoid and quadruped robots manufactured abroad, a move separate from the new tariffs.

During a video call on July 30, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng spoke with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. State news agency Xinhua reported that "the Chinese side expressed serious concern over recent US economic and trade restrictions against China." The call was described as "candid, in-depth and constructive," with discussions focusing on maintaining stable economic and trade ties and addressing mutual concerns.

China was also noted to be only partly meeting its obligations to deliver rare earth minerals under the November 2025 trade truce. A source, speaking anonymously due to the sensitivity of the talks, stated, "The US has raised these concerns repeatedly within their trade and economic channel and provided China time to reverse course, but China has continued to escalate and cause disruption."

Xinhua added that both sides agreed to use bilateral consultation channels to "strengthen communication, build trust, and expand cooperation to promote a stable and positive China-US economic and trade relationship."

US Treasury Secretary Bessent confirmed the call on social media, emphasizing Washington's expectations for China.

Sources