Q: In the early hours of February 24, 2026, EST, the U.S. Customs, in accordance with relevant U.S. announcements, ceased collecting tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and began imposing an import surcharge on all trading partners pursuant to Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. What is China’s comment on these developments? Will China take corresponding measures?

A: We have noted the relevant situation. In early February and early April of 2025, the U.S. side, citing the IEEPA, successively imposed fentanyl-related tariffs of 10% and so-called reciprocal tariffs of 34% on Chinese goods. Of these, 24 percentage points of the reciprocal tariffs were suspended, resulting in an actual tariff level of 20% imposed on China. In light of the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in the IEEPA tariff litigation and relevant executive orders and the proclamation issued by the U.S. government, the U.S. side has ceased collecting the aforementioned tariffs. At the same time, however, it has imposed a 10% import surcharge under Section 122. China has also noted that the U.S. side has stated on multiple occasions its intention to impose tariffs through investigations such as those under Sections 301 and 232. China is closely monitoring and will comprehensively assess these measures. Following that, China will decide at the appropriate time, based on the situation, whether to adjust its countermeasures targeting the original U.S. fentanyl-related and reciprocal tariffs. China reserves the right to take all necessary measures to firmly safeguard its lawful rights and interests.

China has consistently opposed all forms of unilateral tariff measures. It urges the U.S. to remove such unilateral tariffs and refrain from new ones. It has been repeatedly proven by experience that China-U.S. cooperation benefits both sides and confrontation harms both. China stands ready to engage in candid consultations with the U.S. side in the upcoming 6th round of China-U.S. economic and trade talks. We hope the U.S. side will work with China in the same direction, jointly uphold the consensus between the two heads of state reached at their Busan meeting and during their phone call on February 4, address each other’s concerns and properly manage differences on the basis of mutual respect and equal consultation, and maintain the sound, stable, and sustainable development of China-U.S. economic and trade relations.