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Former President Donald Trump on Friday accused China of violating a recently agreed-upon trade agreement, just weeks after the two countries announced a temporary easing of tariffs on each other’s imports.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump claimed that Beijing had “totally violated” the agreement, though he did not specify how. The charge comes as tensions reignite over trade policy and amid fresh legal disputes surrounding Trump’s broader tariff agenda.
“The bad news is that China, perhaps not surprisingly to some, HAS TOTALLY VIOLATED ITS AGREEMENT WITH US,” Trump wrote. “So much for being Mr. NICE GUY!”
Details of the Trade Agreement
On May 12, the U.S. and China had committed to a 90-day suspension of most tariffs imposed since April. Under that deal:
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U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods were reduced from 145% to 30%.
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Chinese tariffs on U.S. imports dropped to 10%.
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China also agreed to ease nontariff barriers, including potentially resuming rare earth exports to U.S. companies.
Rare earth elements — critical for products such as semiconductors, electric vehicle batteries, and defense systems — may be at the center of Trump’s grievance. Adam Crisafulli, an analyst with Vital Knowledge, noted that recent reports indicated Beijing was slow-walking promised rare earth shipments. This hesitancy may have provoked Trump’s Friday post, Crisafulli said in a client briefing.
Legal Uncertainty Around Trump’s Tariff Agenda
Trump’s comments also come amid a whiplash in federal courts over his broader trade plans. On April 2, Trump announced sweeping new tariffs on nearly all foreign imports, aiming to restore U.S. manufacturing and boost federal revenue by trillions.
However:
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On Wednesday, a federal trade court blocked the tariffs, questioning their legality and potential economic harm.
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On Thursday, a federal appeals court in Washington, D.C. temporarily reinstated them, allowing enforcement to continue while legal arguments play out.
The back-and-forth has left businesses and foreign governments uncertain about the trajectory of U.S. trade policy under Trump’s influence — especially as his campaign signals a return to aggressive protectionism.
China Pushes Back
Chinese officials have not yet issued a formal rebuttal, but Beijing has previously denied failing to comply with trade commitments. Economic analysts warn that the renewed accusations could destabilize fragile economic cooperation between the world’s two largest economies.
Broader Implications
The U.S.-China trade relationship, already strained by years of tariffs and mutual suspicion, may face further deterioration if enforcement of the May agreement collapses. The deal was seen by some economists as a temporary reprieve amid growing supply chain tensions and geopolitical rivalry.
If the dispute over rare earths proves to be the flashpoint, it could intensify tech sector anxieties already heightened by new U.S. restrictions on semiconductor and AI technology exports to China — measures also implemented by the Trump administration in recent weeks.
