China's ambassador to the U.S., Xie Feng, pushed back against American criticism of trade imbalances, arguing that tariffs on Chinese goods remain unfairly high and that the overall trade relationship is more balanced than the U.S. claims. This comes as tensions simmer over a stalled deal meant to ease trade friction between the two economic giants.

Editor’s Note: Trade disputes between the U.S. and China are nothing new, but with a fragile agreement on the line, these latest comments suggest neither side is backing down. If the rhetoric escalates, businesses and consumers could face higher costs—or worse, another full-blown trade war. That’s why this back-and-forth matters beyond just diplomatic posturing.