🔗 Share this article

The former US president’s most recent threat to introduce an additional full import duty on items imported from China has been called a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that the nation could introduce its own unrevealed “countermeasures” if the White House occupant follows through on his pledge, adding that the country was “fearless” of a looming commercial battle.

Last Friday, the former president responded at China’s decision to reinforce its regulations for foreign shipments of critical elements, charging Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

Furthermore, he threatened to cancel a planned talks with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a summit in South Korea before the month ends.

The former president’s remarks on Friday rattled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 dropping nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

These statements reignited fears of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

In May, the two sides had reached an agreement to remove significant levies on each other’s goods, which had led to concerns of commerce ceasing between the economic powers.

Consequently, United States levies on Chinese goods subject to an extra import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the country are subject to a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – published by the relevant government department in the format of official answers to media inquiries – reflected terminology from the zenith of the latest commercial tensions.

They criticised United States controls on semiconductors and chips while defending Beijing’s overseas sale regulations on rare earths as “normal actions” to protect domestic safety and that of the global community.

The official remarked that for “a long time”, the America had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, misused foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the right way to deal with China,” their representative said.

“Beijing’s stance” on a import duty dispute has consistently been consistent: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Recently, China revealed it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and other materials essential to high-technology production.

This was seen as a important measure, as the nation refines about 90% of the global rare earth supply, which are utilized in goods such as solar panels and smartphones.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being interpreted by analysts as a method of enhancing bargaining power prior to forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between Donald Trump and China’s leader, planned at a conference in Seoul before month’s end, will take place as planned.