🔗 Share this article

Trump’s newest warning to enforce an extra 100% tariff on products from China has been labeled a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that the nation could introduce its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the White House occupant carries out his warning, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a potential trade conflict.

On Friday, Trump retaliated at China’s decision to strengthen its rules for exports of rare earth minerals, alleging the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “hostage”.

Furthermore, he vowed to cancel a scheduled meeting with China’s President Xi, which was set for a summit in the Republic of Korea before the month ends.

His statements on last Friday unsettled financial markets, with the S&P 500 dropping 2.7%, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

The president’s words revived apprehensions of a commercial dispute between the two economic giants.

Earlier this year, the both nations had consented to remove high import duties on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the two countries.

This left, US tariffs on Chinese goods facing an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while American products entering China face a 10% tariff.

The most recent comments from China – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the form of written responses to journalist’s questions – echoed rhetoric from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

They criticised United States controls on electronic components while justifying China’s own export controls on key elements as “routine measures” to safeguard national security and that of all nations.

The spokesperson stated that for “an extended period”, the US had “overstretched the concept of state security, abused export control measures and “implemented” unfair treatments against Beijing.

“Using” trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to deal with the Chinese government,” their representative said.

“China’s position on a tariff war has remained steady: we are not seeking one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Recently, the Chinese government declared it was tightening overseas sale regulations on key elements and additional substances critical for high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a significant step, as the country handles about 90% of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in products such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

Latest statements from both governments are being seen by some as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances prior to forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between the former president and China’s leader, scheduled at a high-level meeting in South Korea before month’s end, will go ahead.