🔗 Share this article

Trump’s latest threat to impose an additional full import duty on items imported from China has been described as a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry also stated that the nation could enact its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the US President executes his warning, adding that the country was “fearless” of a potential trade conflict.

Last Friday, Donald Trump responded at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its regulations for foreign shipments of rare earths, alleging China of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “hostage”.

Furthermore, he threatened to pull out of a planned meeting with Chinese leader Xi, which was expected to take place during a summit in Seoul later this month.

The former president’s remarks on that day shook global markets, with the benchmark US stock index dropping nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since April.

These statements renewed apprehensions of a commercial dispute between the US and China.

This past spring, the respective governments had agreed to remove triple-digit tariffs on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of commerce ceasing between the two countries.

As a result, United States levies on products from China incurring an added import tax compared with the year’s onset, while American products entering the country are subject to a 10% tariff.

The most recent comments from China – released by the relevant government department in the format of formal replies to journalist’s questions – reflected language from the height of the recent trade conflict.

Officials denounced United States controls on chips and semi-conductors while supporting Beijing’s restrictions on exports on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to protect domestic safety and that of the global community.

The spokesperson stated that for “a long time”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of national security, exploited export control measures and “adopted discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the right way to interact with China,” the official commented.

“Beijing’s stance” on a trade conflict has consistently been steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, China announced it was strengthening export controls on key elements and other materials essential to high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a significant step, as the nation refines about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are employed in products such as renewable energy components and mobile phones.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being seen by analysts as a means of enhancing bargaining power prior to future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, planned at a conference in Seoul in the coming weeks, will still proceed.