🔗 Share this article

Donald Trump’s latest warning to enforce an extra 100% tariff on items imported from China has been described as a “classic case” of American hypocrisy, per the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that Beijing could implement its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the American leader executes his threat, noting that the country was “fearless” of a possible trade war.

This past Friday, Donald Trump hit back at China’s decision to reinforce its policies for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, accusing China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

Additionally, he warned to withdraw from a arranged summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was set for a meeting in South Korea later this month.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday unsettled global markets, with the S&P 500 share index dropping nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

These statements revived concerns of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

Earlier this year, the respective governments had agreed to drop significant levies on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of trade halting between the economic powers.

As a result, United States levies on products from China subject to an added 30% levy compared with the start of the year, while US goods entering the country are subject to a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the format of official answers to media inquiries – reflected terminology from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised United States controls on electronic components while justifying the country’s own restrictions on exports on rare earths as “routine measures” to ensure domestic safety and that of every country.

The spokesperson stated that for “a long time”, the America had “broadened the definition” of national security, exploited export control measures and “implemented” biased policies against China.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the proper method to interact with the Chinese government,” the official said.

“The nation’s view” on a import duty dispute has remained unchanging: we are not seeking one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Recently, Beijing declared it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and additional substances essential to cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a significant step, as the nation processes about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are used in products such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being interpreted by some as a strategy of strengthening positions prior to future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between the former president and President Xi, scheduled at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea later this month, will go ahead.