🔗 Share this article

The former US president’s newest ultimatum to impose an additional 100% tariff on items imported from China has been described as a “prime illustration” of American hypocrisy, per the China’s leadership.

A representative of the ministry also stated that the nation could enact its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the American leader follows through on his pledge, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a potential commercial battle.

On Friday, the former president responded at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its rules for exports of rare earth minerals, accusing Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “hostage”.

Furthermore, he vowed to withdraw from a scheduled meeting with China’s President President Xi, which was set for a conference in Seoul before the month ends.

Trump’s comments on last Friday rattled financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index dropping nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since April.

These statements renewed fears of a trade conflict between the two economic giants.

In May, the respective governments had reached an agreement to drop high import duties on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

As a result, United States levies on Chinese goods facing an extra 30% levy compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering China incur a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – released by the relevant government department in the format of official answers to journalist’s questions – mirrored rhetoric from the peak of the recent trade conflict.

They criticised US export restrictions on electronic components while defending China’s own restrictions on exports on key elements as “normal actions” to ensure state interests and that of every country.

Their representative remarked that for “a long time”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “adopted discriminatory practices against China.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the right way to interact with the Chinese government,” the spokesperson commented.

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has always been unchanging: we are not seeking one, but we are fearless of one.”

Recently, the Chinese government declared it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on rare earths and additional substances essential to cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a important measure, as the country processes about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are employed in goods such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being interpreted by observers as a means of strengthening positions ahead of upcoming negotiations.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between the former president and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will still proceed.