🔗 Share this article

Trump’s most recent warning to enforce an extra 100% tariff on products from China has been called a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that Beijing could enact its own unrevealed “countermeasures” if the White House occupant carries out his warning, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a looming trade conflict.

This past Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its rules for foreign shipments of critical elements, accusing the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “captive”.

Furthermore, he threatened to pull out of a arranged meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a meeting in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

His statements on last Friday shook stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 closing down over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since April.

The president’s words renewed apprehensions of a trade war between the United States and China.

This past spring, the respective governments had agreed to drop significant levies on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the two countries.

Consequently, American import duties on products from China incurring an added thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while items from the United States entering the country are subject to a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the relevant government department in the format of official answers to journalist’s questions – echoed language from the height of the recent trade conflict.

They criticised US export restrictions on chips and semi-conductors while defending the country’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to protect state interests and that of all nations.

The spokesperson stated that for “a long time”, the United States had “broadened the definition” of domestic safety, abused export control measures and “adopted discriminatory practices against China.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the correct approach to engage with the Chinese government,” their representative said.

“The nation’s view” on a import duty dispute has consistently been steady: we are not seeking one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Last week, China announced it was reinforcing export controls on key elements and additional substances vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a key move, as the state processes about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are utilized in products such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

Latest statements from both governments are being interpreted by analysts as a method of strengthening positions prior to upcoming negotiations.

It is unclear whether a talks between Donald Trump and President Xi, expected at a high-level meeting in Seoul later this month, will go ahead.