United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday defended his administration’s renewed tariff strategy targeting China, while also announcing the end of a longstanding trade exemption known as the “de minimis” rule. Speaking at the White House, Trump stated he has “great respect” for Chinese President Xi Jinping but stressed that tariffs were necessary due to China’s unfair treatment of the United States in trade matters.

Trump recalled that during his first term, he “took hundreds of billions from China,” a policy he claimed was reversed under President Joe Biden, whom he accused of having a “special relationship” with Beijing. Now, under Trump’s newly unveiled “Liberation Day” trade policy, the administration has reinstated and expanded tariffs on Chinese imports, including a new 34% counter-tariff, bringing the total tariff rate on Chinese goods to 54% when combined with previous measures.

Alongside the new tariffs, Trump signed a second executive order ending the de minimis exemption for China and Hong Kong. The exemption previously allowed low-value packages—those under $800—to enter the U.S. without import duties. The White House confirmed that this change will take effect on May 2, 2025, at 12:01 a.m. EDT, and that China is the only country affected by the measure.

In a statement, the White House described the decision as “a critical step in countering the ongoing health emergency posed by the illicit flow of synthetic opioids into the U.S.” The executive action is part of a broader crackdown aimed at eliminating loopholes that allow certain goods to bypass trade regulations.

China’s Commerce Ministry swiftly condemned the new measures, calling for their immediate reversal. In a strongly worded statement, the ministry urged the U.S. to resolve trade disputes “properly through equal dialogue with its partners,” warning that Beijing would take “resolute countermeasures” to defend its interests.

“There are no winners in a trade war,” the Chinese ministry asserted, warning that the tariffs would undermine global economic development. China, one of the primary targets of the “Liberation Day” trade plan, now faces the most aggressive tariff regime yet under Trump’s leadership.

The situation is expected to escalate in the coming weeks as China prepares its response. Observers are closely watching both governments for signs of potential negotiation or further confrontation.