🔗 Share this article

Donald Trump’s newest ultimatum to introduce an additional full import duty on Chinese goods has been called a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that China could enact its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the US President carries out his threat, adding that the country was “fearless” of a looming commercial battle.

This past Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at China’s decision to reinforce its regulations for exports of rare earths, alleging Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

He also vowed to withdraw from a scheduled talks with Chinese leader President Xi, which was set for a meeting in Seoul before the month ends.

Trump’s comments on Friday unsettled financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index dropping over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

His comments renewed apprehensions of a trade war between the two economic giants.

In May, the two sides had consented to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of commerce ceasing between the two nations.

This left, American import duties on Chinese imports subject to an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering the country incur a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – published by the Commerce Ministry in the format of official answers to journalist’s questions – mirrored language from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced United States controls on semiconductors and chips while defending the country’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earths as “routine measures” to protect state interests and that of all nations.

The spokesperson remarked that for “a long time”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, exploited export control measures and “implemented” unfair treatments against Beijing.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the right way to interact with Beijing,” the official said.

“China’s position on a tariff war has consistently been consistent: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

Recently, China declared it was strengthening export controls on key elements and additional substances critical for high-technology production.

This was seen as a key move, as the country processes about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are used in products such as renewable energy components and mobile phones.

The recent comments from the US and China are being interpreted by some as a means of enhancing bargaining power prior to upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a talks between the former president and President Xi, planned at a conference in the Republic of Korea later this month, will still proceed.