🔗 Share this article

Donald Trump’s latest threat to enforce an extra 100% tariff on products from China has been called a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that Beijing could introduce its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the American leader executes his threat, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a looming trade war.

Last Friday, Trump hit back at China’s decision to reinforce its policies for overseas sales of rare earths, accusing Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “captive”.

He also threatened to pull out of a scheduled talks with Chinese leader President Xi, which was expected to take place during a summit in the Republic of Korea before the month ends.

His statements on last Friday shook stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 closing down 2.7%, marking its steepest fall since last spring.

His comments renewed fears of a commercial dispute between the two economic giants.

Earlier this year, the respective governments had consented to remove high import duties on each other’s products, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

As a result, US tariffs on products from China incurring an extra import tax compared with the year’s onset, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market incur a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of formal replies to press queries – echoed rhetoric from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while justifying the country’s own restrictions on exports on rare earths as “standard procedures” to safeguard domestic safety and that of the global community.

The spokesperson said that for “an extended period”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, abused overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the correct approach to interact with the Chinese government,” the spokesperson said.

“The nation’s view” on a import duty dispute has always been consistent: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Recently, the Chinese government declared it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and additional substances vital for high-technology production.

This was seen as a key move, as the state refines about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in goods such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

New remarks from the US and China are being viewed by observers as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power prior to upcoming negotiations.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between Trump and President Xi, scheduled at a conference in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will go ahead.