Washington/Beijing: U.S. President Donald Trump has accused China of backing out of a major aircraft deal with Boeing, further intensifying tensions amid an escalating trade war between the two global powers. The White House confirmed on Tuesday that Trump believes the "ball is in China’s court" and that it is up to Beijing to return to the negotiating table.

"There’s no difference between China and any other country except they are much larger," said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, reading a statement from President Trump. She reiterated that the United States does not need to strike a deal, but China does.

The remarks came after a Bloomberg report revealed that China had directed its airlines to suspend deliveries of Boeing aircraft and halt purchases of aircraft-related equipment and parts from U.S. companies, citing unnamed sources.

Trump’s renewed criticism follows the imposition of additional tariffs of up to 145 percent on Chinese imports this year, as well as a 10 percent "baseline" tariff on many goods from U.S. trading partners. The administration has offered exemptions for some high-end tech items, including smartphones and laptops.

In response, China reported a stronger-than-expected 5.4 percent economic growth in the first quarter, as companies rushed to export goods before new tariffs take effect. However, Chinese officials acknowledged the potential strain of U.S. tariffs on the country’s trade and economy.

China’s foreign ministry responded forcefully on Wednesday. Spokesperson Lin Jian accused the U.S. of initiating the trade war and warned, “China does not want to fight, but it is not afraid to fight.” He called on Washington to abandon threats and pressure tactics and return to talks based on equality and mutual respect.

The trade dispute has had far-reaching consequences. Hong Kong’s postal service announced it will suspend shipments to the U.S. in protest of what it called Trump’s "bullying" tariffs. Meanwhile, Asian chipmakers saw stock declines after Nvidia disclosed a potential $5.5 billion hit from new U.S. licensing rules affecting sales to China.

Trump also ordered a new probe that could lead to tariffs on critical minerals and rare-earth elements, products in which China holds a dominant global position. Beijing has already imposed export restrictions on several rare earths in response to the trade tensions.

As the standoff continues, other countries are watching closely. Japan and South Korea have planned high-level meetings with U.S. officials, seeking to protect their national interests and minimize uncertainty for exporters. The European Union, too, has pledged to firmly represent its position.

President Trump, in a social media post, vowed to protect U.S. farmers, noting they often become pawns in trade battles. "China bought only a portion of what they agreed to buy" under previous agreements, Trump claimed, saying Beijing has shown “zero respect” for former President Biden’s administration.

With both sides trading barbs and implementing retaliatory measures, the global economic landscape remains volatile as hopes for a quick resolution fade.