China Voices 'Serious Concern' to US Over New Tariffs and Import Bans

Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng has voiced "serious concern" to senior U.S. officials over recent American trade restrictions, including new tariffs and import bans, according to a report from the state-run Xinhua news agency. The discussion signals a potential escalation in trade tensions between the world's two largest economies.

High-Level Talks Address Tensions

In a video call on Thursday, He Lifeng, China's lead official for China-U.S. economic and trade affairs, raised the issues with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The conversation was reportedly focused on implementing agreements previously reached by the two nations' leaders, but the new U.S. measures became a point of contention, Xinhua reported.

Specific US Measures Cited

Beijing's concerns center on several recent punitive actions by Washington. According to the state media report, these include:

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• Forced Labor Tariffs: The U.S. announced new tariffs last week on 60 trading partners over allegations related to forced labor. China was subjected to a 12.5% tariff rate.
• Technology Import Bans: The Trump administration also announced bans on Tuesday targeting imports of new Chinese-made robots and power inverters.

Context and Market Implications

This high-level exchange follows a warning from Beijing that it would retaliate after the latest U.S. announcements. The ongoing friction introduces significant uncertainty for global markets, as investors monitor the stability of the critical U.S.-China trade relationship. The restrictions could directly impact technology and manufacturing supply chains, creating headwinds for companies operating in those sectors.