US President Donald Trump has made it clear that the responsibility to move forward on a trade agreement lies with China. He criticized Beijing for backing out of a major Boeing deal, as trade tensions between the two countries continue to rise.
During a press briefing on Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt read a message from Trump. He said, “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."
Trade Tensions Grow as Tariffs Increase
Right now, the US and China are engaged in a trade battle. Both sides keep raising tariffs on each other’s goods. As a result, global stock markets have taken a hit. Investors are now urging both countries to reduce tensions and reach an agreement.
China Reports Economic Growth Amid Tariff Pressures
Meanwhile, China reported 5.4% growth in its economy during the first quarter. This increase happened as exporters rushed to ship goods before new US tariffs kicked in. A senior official, Sheng Laiyun, from China’s National Bureau of Statistics, acknowledged the pressure. He stated, the US tariffs “will put certain pressures on our country’s foreign trade and economy.”
New Trade Official Takes Charge in China
As tensions continue, China has appointed a new trade representative. Li Chenggang will now serve at the Ministry of Commerce (Mofcom), replacing Wang Shouwen. Li is 58 years old and brings years of experience in global trade talks.
He played a key role in the 2020 trade agreement between China and the US. Later, he also represented China at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in Geneva starting in 2021. He holds a law degree from Peking University and a master’s degree in law and economics from the University of Hamburg in Germany.
Trump Accuses China of Breaking Boeing Deal Promise
President Trump did not hold back in his criticism. He accused China of failing to honor its commitment regarding a Boeing deal. According to Trump, China purchased only part of what it had promised.
He added that Beijing had “zero respect” for President Joe Biden’s administration. Trump has also introduced new import duties this year. He placed heavy tariffs on Chinese products and imposed a 10% “baseline” tariff on many other US trading partners as well.