🔗 Share this article

Donald Trump’s newest ultimatum to enforce an further 100% tariff on products from China has been called a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that Beijing could enact its own unrevealed “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant carries out his threat, adding that the country was “fearless” of a potential trade conflict.

Last Friday, Trump hit back at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its regulations for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, accusing the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

He also vowed to withdraw from a planned summit with China’s President Xi, which was arranged for a conference in South Korea later this month.

The former president’s remarks on Friday shook stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 dropping nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

The president’s words reignited fears of a trade war between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the two sides had consented to drop high import duties on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of commerce ceasing between the two nations.

This left, US tariffs on Chinese goods incurring an added import tax compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering the country face a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the form of official answers to media inquiries – echoed terminology from the peak of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while justifying the country’s own overseas sale regulations on key elements as “standard procedures” to ensure domestic safety and that of all nations.

Their representative stated that for “an extended period”, the US had “overstretched the concept of national security, exploited export control measures and “adopted discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Turning to” import duty warnings is not the correct approach to deal with Beijing,” their representative stated.

“The nation’s view” on a import duty dispute has remained steady: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government revealed it was strengthening overseas sale regulations on rare earths and additional substances vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the state processes about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in goods such as solar panels and mobile phones.

New remarks from both governments are being viewed by analysts as a method of strengthening positions prior to future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a summit between Donald Trump and President Xi, planned at a conference in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will still proceed.