China Rejects Trump’s Tariff Push

China’s foreign minister, Wang Yi, rejected President Trump’s call for NATO to impose steep tariffs on China — saying “war cannot solve problems” — as U.S.-China trade talks resumed in Madrid on September 14, 2025. The two sides are negotiating an extension of the tariff truce ahead of the November 10 deadline and discussing TikTok and wider trade frictions.

Intro: Diplomatic pushback and a high-stakes negotiation

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi delivered a pointed rebuke to calls for punitive tariffs on Sept. 13 while visiting Ljubljana, stressing that China “does not participate in or plot wars” and warning that sanctions only complicate conflicts. The remarks set the tone for resumed U.S.–China talks in Madrid the next day, where officials focused on tariffs, export controls and the looming TikTok divestiture deadline.

What Wang Yi said — and why it matters

At a joint press conference in Ljubljana, Wang Yi emphasized diplomacy and political settlement of international disputes, rejecting efforts to economically coerce China. His comments were framed as a broader appeal for stability amid escalating rhetoric from Washington. That rhetoric included President Trump’s public call for NATO to impose 50–100% tariffs on China to pressure Beijing over energy purchases from Russia.

Madrid talks: agenda and immediate goals

U.S. and Chinese delegations — led by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and China’s Vice Premier He Lifeng — met in Madrid on Sept. 14 for further high-level discussions. Key items on the agenda included:

• The extension of the tariff truce (currently paused until Nov. 10, 2025).
• The TikTok divestiture deadline and whether to allow a further reprieve.
• Export controls, supply-chain stability, and energy purchases related to Russia.

Analysts view the Madrid session as primarily procedural — intended to manage deadlines and buy time rather than deliver sweeping agreements.

Current tariff landscape (what businesses need to know)

A mutually agreed 90-day tariff truce—extended in August—keeps planned tariff surges on hold until November 10, 2025. Under the truce, U.S. tariffs remain at elevated but stable levels (widely reported as a composite around current rates), while China has paused additional retaliatory increases. The extension has been crucial for retailers and supply chains ahead of the holiday season.

Likely outcomes and risks

Economists and China-watchers caution that talks in Madrid are unlikely to resolve core geopolitical points. Key takeaways from analysts:

• A substantive, comprehensive deal is unlikely without a high-level Trump-Xi engagement. The truce buys time but leaves structural issues — export controls, tech decoupling, and geopolitical disagreements — unresolved.

What to watch next (timeline & triggers)

• September 17–18, 2025: Possible updates on TikTok deadline extensions from Madrid talks.
• November 10, 2025: Current tariff truce expiry — the critical date for either an extension or re-escalation.
• Any announcement of a Trump-Xi summit, which could be a decisive moment for broader agreements.

Conclusion

Wang Yi’s public rejection of sweeping tariff measures framed Beijing’s position as favoring diplomacy over coercion. But with deep structural disagreements remaining and geopolitical tensions spanning Russia, Taiwan and tech rivalry, the Madrid talks look set to manage deadlines rather than produce dramatic breakthroughs. The November 10 truce expiry is the immediate milestone to watch.