🔗 Share this article

Trump’s latest warning to introduce an further full import duty on Chinese goods has been labeled a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the China’s leadership.

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that Beijing could enact its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the US President carries out his warning, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a looming trade war.

On Friday, Trump responded at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its policies for exports of critical elements, alleging the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the world “hostage”.

Furthermore, he threatened to withdraw from a arranged meeting with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was arranged for a summit in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

His statements on Friday rattled global markets, with the S&P 500 share index closing down nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

The president’s words reignited apprehensions of a trade conflict between the United States and China.

In May, the two sides had consented to drop triple-digit tariffs on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the two countries.

As a result, US tariffs on Chinese imports subject to an extra import tax compared with the year’s onset, while American products entering the country incur a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – released by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of written responses to journalist’s questions – mirrored language from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

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

Their representative remarked that for “an extended period”, the US had “overstretched the concept of state security, abused overseas sale restrictions and “adopted discriminatory practices against China.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the right way to engage with the Chinese government,” their representative said.

“The nation’s view” on a tariff war has remained steady: we are not seeking one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government declared it was tightening overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and further resources vital for cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a important measure, as the country handles about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in items such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

Latest statements from both governments are being viewed by observers as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power ahead of future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between the former president and Xi Jinping, planned at a summit in South Korea later this month, will take place as planned.