The Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) accused the United States on Monday of violating key agreements from recent bilateral economic talks, warning that new U.S. restrictions on technology and visas risk destabilizing trade relations.
In a strongly worded statement, a MOFCOM spokesperson said Washington had "seriously undermined" consensus achieved during January's Geneva economic talks by introducing measures targeting China's tech sector. These include tightened AI chip export controls, a ban on sales of advanced chip design software to Chinese firms, and visa cancellations for Chinese students in sensitive academic fields.
The measures follow a January 17 phone conversation between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden that aimed to ease trade tensions. MOFCOM claims the latest U.S. actions contradict commitments made during that dialogue, calling them "unilateral provocations" that harm China's legitimate interests.
"Instead of reflecting on its disruptive actions, the U.S. has falsely accused China of violating agreements," the spokesperson stated, emphasizing Beijing's rejection of the allegations. Analysts suggest the escalation could impact global semiconductor supply chains and academic exchanges, with implications for businesses operating in both markets.
