The former US president’s newest ultimatum to impose an extra complete levy on Chinese goods has been described as a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the Beijing administration.
A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that China could introduce its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the US President carries out his threat, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a potential trade conflict.
Last Friday, the former president retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its rules for overseas sales of rare earths, alleging Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.
Furthermore, he vowed to pull out of a planned summit with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a meeting in South Korea later this month.
Trump’s comments on Friday shook global markets, with the benchmark US stock index dropping 2.7%, marking its largest decline since April.
The president’s words renewed fears of a trade war between the United States and China.
Earlier this year, the two sides had reached an agreement to remove triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of commerce ceasing between the two nations.
This left, American import duties on Chinese imports incurring an additional 30% levy compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering China are subject to a 10% tariff.
Beijing’s recent statements – published by the Commerce Ministry in the format of formal replies to media inquiries – reflected language from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.
Officials denounced American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while justifying China’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earths as “routine measures” to safeguard state interests and that of the global community.
The official remarked that for “many years”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, misused export control measures and “enforced” discriminatory practices against Beijing.
“Using” import duty warnings is not the correct approach to deal with China,” the spokesperson commented.
“Beijing’s stance” on a trade conflict has consistently been consistent: we are not seeking one, but we are not afraid of one.”
Last week, Beijing revealed it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earths and other materials critical for advanced tech manufacturing.
The action was viewed as a significant step, as the state handles about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in products such as renewable energy components and mobile phones.
New remarks from the US and China are being seen by analysts as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power prior to upcoming negotiations.
It is unclear whether a talks between Trump and China’s leader, scheduled at a summit in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will go ahead.
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