🔗 Share this article

Donald Trump’s latest warning to enforce an extra complete levy on products from China has been labeled a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Chinese government.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that China could implement its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the White House occupant executes his warning, noting that the country was “fearless” of a looming commercial battle.

On Friday, the former president hit back at China’s decision to tighten its policies for foreign shipments of rare earths, alleging Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “hostage”.

Furthermore, he vowed to cancel a planned talks with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a meeting in the Republic of Korea before the month ends.

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

His comments renewed concerns of a trade war between the United States and China.

This past spring, the both nations had agreed to eliminate high import duties on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the two countries.

As a result, US tariffs on Chinese goods subject to an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering the Chinese market face a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – published by the relevant government department in the manner of formal replies to journalist’s questions – reflected rhetoric from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on electronic components while defending Beijing’s overseas sale regulations on rare earths as “standard procedures” to safeguard state interests and that of the global community.

The official remarked that for “an extended period”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, exploited export control measures and “adopted discriminatory practices against Beijing.

“Using” trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to interact with Beijing,” the spokesperson commented.

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war has consistently been steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

Last week, the Chinese government revealed it was strengthening overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and additional substances essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a key move, as the state refines about 90% of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in products such as solar panels and mobile phones.

Latest statements from the US and China are being seen by some as a method of enhancing bargaining power ahead of upcoming negotiations.

Remains uncertain whether a talks between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will take place as planned.