🔗 Share this article

Trump’s newest threat to enforce an additional complete levy on Chinese goods has been called a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that Beijing could implement its own unrevealed “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant carries out his pledge, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a potential trade war.

This past Friday, the former president responded at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its policies for overseas sales of rare earths, charging Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

Additionally, he warned to withdraw from a planned meeting with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was set for a meeting in South Korea before the month ends.

His statements on that day shook global markets, with the S&P 500 share index dropping over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since April.

These statements revived concerns of a trade war between the United States and China.

This past spring, the two sides had agreed to remove high import duties on each other’s goods, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

Consequently, American import duties on Chinese goods facing an added thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while American products entering China face a 10% tariff.

The most recent comments from China – released by the relevant government department in the form of written responses to media inquiries – echoed terminology from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on electronic components while justifying China’s own export controls on rare earth minerals as “normal actions” to protect national security and that of all nations.

The spokesperson remarked that for “an extended period”, the America had “overstretched the concept of state security, misused overseas sale restrictions and “enforced” discriminatory practices against China.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the right way to engage with the Chinese government,” the official commented.

“China’s position on a tariff war has consistently been unchanging: we are not seeking one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government revealed it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and further resources essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the state processes about 90% of the planet’s critical minerals, which are utilized in goods such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

New remarks from the US and China are being seen by analysts as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power in preparation for future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a summit between Trump and Xi Jinping, planned at a conference in the Republic of Korea later this month, will take place as planned.