🔗 Share this article

The former US president’s newest threat to impose an extra complete levy on items imported from China has been labeled a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the China’s leadership.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry also stated that China could implement its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant follows through on his warning, adding that the country was “unafraid” of a looming trade war.

This past Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its policies for foreign shipments of rare earths, alleging Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

Furthermore, he warned to cancel a arranged summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was expected to take place during a summit in Seoul in the coming weeks.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday shook global markets, with the S&P 500 falling by nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since last spring.

His comments reignited concerns of a commercial dispute between the two economic giants.

Earlier this year, the two sides had consented to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the two countries.

As a result, United States levies on Chinese imports facing an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering China incur a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of official answers to media inquiries – mirrored rhetoric from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while justifying Beijing’s overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “normal actions” to protect state interests and that of all nations.

The official stated that for “many years”, the US had “broadened the definition” of domestic safety, abused export control measures and “enforced” biased policies against the Chinese nation.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the right way to engage with China,” the spokesperson stated.

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has remained unchanging: we are not seeking one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Recently, the Chinese government announced it was tightening overseas sale regulations on rare earths and further resources vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the nation handles about 90% of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in items such as solar panels and mobile phones.

The recent comments from the US and China are being viewed by observers as a strategy of strengthening positions prior to forthcoming discussions.

Remains uncertain whether a talks between Trump and President Xi, scheduled at a summit in South Korea before month’s end, will take place as planned.