🔗 Share this article

Donald Trump’s newest warning to enforce an extra complete levy on items imported from China has been labeled a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the Chinese government.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that Beijing could enact its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the American leader follows through on his pledge, noting that the country was “fearless” of a potential trade conflict.

This past Friday, the former president hit back at Beijing’s move to tighten its rules for foreign shipments of rare earths, accusing the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

He also warned to pull out of a arranged summit with Chinese leader President Xi, which was arranged for a conference in South Korea later this month.

His statements on last Friday shook stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index falling by 2.7%, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

The president’s words renewed concerns of a trade conflict between the two economic giants.

In May, the both nations had consented to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of commerce ceasing between the two countries.

This left, US tariffs on Chinese goods subject to an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market are subject to a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the form of official answers to journalist’s questions – reflected language from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

They criticised American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while defending the country’s own export controls on rare earth minerals as “normal actions” to safeguard state interests and that of all nations.

The spokesperson remarked that for “a long time”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, misused foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” biased policies against Beijing.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the correct approach to interact with China,” their representative stated.

“China’s position on a tariff war has remained consistent: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, Beijing announced it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and additional substances critical for high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a significant step, as the state handles about 90% of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in items such as solar panels and mobile phones.

Latest statements from the US and China are being viewed by analysts as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a meeting between Trump and China’s leader, planned at a conference in Seoul later this month, will still proceed.