🔗 Share this article

Donald Trump’s latest threat to enforce an additional full import duty on items imported from China has been labeled a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that Beijing could enact its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the American leader executes his pledge, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a possible trade war.

This past Friday, Trump retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its rules for exports of rare earths, accusing Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “hostage”.

Additionally, he threatened to cancel a scheduled talks with Chinese leader Xi, which was arranged for a meeting in South Korea in the coming weeks.

The former president’s remarks on Friday unsettled stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index dropping over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since April.

His comments reignited fears of a trade conflict between the United States and China.

Earlier this year, the both nations had consented to drop significant levies on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of commerce ceasing between the two countries.

This left, US tariffs on Chinese goods incurring an added import tax compared with the start of the year, while items from the United States entering the country incur a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the relevant government department in the format of written responses to press queries – mirrored language from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on electronic components while defending the country’s own export controls on rare earth minerals as “normal actions” to protect national security and that of every country.

The spokesperson stated that for “many years”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of state security, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “adopted unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Turning to” import duty warnings is not the correct approach to interact with the Chinese government,” the official said.

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war has remained unchanging: we are not seeking one, but we are fearless of one.”

Recently, China revealed it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and further resources critical for high-technology production.

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

Latest statements from the US and China are being seen by observers as a method of strengthening positions prior to future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between Trump and President Xi, planned at a high-level meeting in Seoul later this month, will go ahead.