🔗 Share this article

Trump’s latest threat to enforce an additional 100% tariff on items imported from China has been described as a “typical example” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that China could introduce its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the American leader executes his threat, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a potential trade conflict.

On Friday, Donald Trump responded at China’s decision to strengthen its policies for exports of rare earths, alleging Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “hostage”.

Additionally, he threatened to withdraw from a scheduled summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was arranged for a conference in South Korea before the month ends.

Trump’s comments on last Friday unsettled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index dropping over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

His comments revived concerns of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

Earlier this year, the respective governments had agreed to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

As a result, US tariffs on Chinese goods incurring an additional import tax compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering China incur a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of formal replies to journalist’s questions – reflected rhetoric from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while defending Beijing’s export controls on rare earths as “normal actions” to protect state interests and that of the global community.

The spokesperson said that for “many years”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of national security, misused foreign shipment regulations and “adopted biased policies against China.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the right way to deal with China,” their representative commented.

“The nation’s view” on a trade conflict has remained consistent: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, China announced it was reinforcing export controls on rare earth minerals and other materials essential to high-technology production.

This was seen as a key move, as the nation processes about 90% of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in products such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being interpreted by observers as a method of strengthening positions in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a talks between the former president and China’s leader, scheduled at a summit in Seoul later this month, will still proceed.