🔗 Share this article

Donald Trump’s most recent warning to impose an extra complete levy on items imported from China has been labeled a “prime illustration” of American hypocrisy, per the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that Beijing could introduce its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the White House occupant follows through on his threat, adding that the country was “unafraid” of a looming trade war.

This past Friday, Donald Trump responded at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its regulations for overseas sales of rare earths, accusing the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

Furthermore, he warned to pull out of a arranged talks with Chinese leader Xi, which was expected to take place during a summit in South Korea later this month.

The former president’s remarks on that day rattled global markets, with the S&P 500 share index dropping 2.7%, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

The president’s words revived fears of a trade conflict between the US and China.

This past spring, the two sides had reached an agreement to drop triple-digit tariffs on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

This left, United States levies on products from China facing an additional import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering China face a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of formal replies to media inquiries – echoed terminology from the zenith of the latest commercial tensions.

They criticised American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while defending Beijing’s restrictions on exports on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to safeguard state interests and that of the global community.

The spokesperson said that for “an extended period”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, exploited export control measures and “implemented” discriminatory practices against China.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the proper method to deal with Beijing,” their representative said.

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

The previous week, China revealed it was strengthening overseas sale regulations on key elements and additional substances essential to cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the nation refines about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in products such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

The recent comments from both governments are being viewed by observers as a method of bolstering negotiating stances in preparation for future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a talks between the former president and China’s leader, expected at a conference in South Korea later this month, will go ahead.