🔗 Share this article

The former US president’s latest warning to introduce an extra complete levy on products from China has been called a “typical example” of American hypocrisy, per the China’s leadership.

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that the nation could enact its own unrevealed “responsive actions” if the US President carries out his threat, adding that the country was “fearless” of a potential commercial battle.

Last Friday, Trump hit back at Beijing’s move to tighten its regulations for foreign shipments of rare earths, alleging China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “hostage”.

He also threatened to pull out of a planned meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which was set for a conference in Seoul later this month.

Trump’s comments on Friday unsettled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index closing down over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since last spring.

The president’s words reignited apprehensions of a trade war between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the respective governments had reached an agreement to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of commerce ceasing between the economic powers.

As a result, American import duties on Chinese goods incurring an extra 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering China incur a 10% tariff.

The most recent comments from China – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the format of official answers to media inquiries – echoed language from the peak of the recent trade conflict.

They criticised United States controls on semiconductors and chips while supporting Beijing’s export controls on key elements as “routine measures” to safeguard state interests and that of all nations.

The official said that for “many years”, the US had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, abused export control measures and “enforced” biased policies against Beijing.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the proper method to engage with Beijing,” their representative commented.

“Beijing’s stance” on a trade conflict has always been consistent: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, China revealed it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earths and further resources essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the country refines about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in goods such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

New remarks from the US and China are being seen by some as a method of bolstering negotiating stances prior to upcoming negotiations.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a high-level meeting in South Korea before month’s end, will go ahead.