🔗 Share this article

The former US president’s newest threat to enforce an additional full import duty on products from China has been described as a “prime illustration” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that Beijing could introduce its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the US President follows through on his warning, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a possible commercial battle.

This past Friday, Donald Trump hit back at China’s decision to strengthen its rules for overseas sales of rare earths, accusing Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

Furthermore, he warned to pull out of a planned meeting with China’s President President Xi, which was arranged for a conference in Seoul later this month.

Trump’s comments on Friday shook stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 falling by nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

These statements reignited apprehensions of a trade war between the United States and China.

This past spring, the both nations had agreed to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s products, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

As a result, US tariffs on products from China facing an extra import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering the country face a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of written responses to press queries – echoed terminology from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised US export restrictions on chips and semi-conductors while justifying Beijing’s overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “normal actions” to protect national security and that of every country.

Their representative remarked that for “an extended period”, the US had “broadened the definition” of state security, misused overseas sale restrictions and “adopted biased policies against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the right way to interact with Beijing,” their representative stated.

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has consistently been consistent: we are not seeking one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Recently, China declared it was tightening export controls on key elements and additional substances essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the country refines about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are utilized in items such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

New remarks from both governments are being viewed by analysts as a means of enhancing bargaining power prior to forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a talks between the former president and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a conference in Seoul in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.