By Editorial Team 
In a measured yet pointed response, China has called the recent U.S. move to temporarily lift tariffs on certain consumer electronics — including smartphones and key tech components — a “small step in the right direction,” but far from enough.
A spokesperson from China’s Ministry of Commerce stated that while the exemptions show signs of a shifting stance in Washington, they remain “limited in scope” and do little to address the deeper structural issues within current U.S. trade policies.
“This is a minor correction to a fundamentally misguided strategy,” the spokesperson said. “If the U.S. truly values economic cooperation and technological progress, more sincere and comprehensive steps must follow.”
The comments come after the Biden administration announced that certain electronics, including smartphones, laptops, and display components, would be exempt from existing Section 301 tariffs — a decision seen as a relief for American tech retailers and consumers ahead of the holiday season.
Despite this, Beijing is pressing the U.S. to remove what it describes as “politically motivated barriers” and work toward a more stable trade relationship.
This exchange is the latest development in the ongoing economic tug-of-war between the world’s two largest economies, with both sides cautiously adjusting policies amidst global supply chain pressures and inflation concerns.
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