🔗 Share this article

Trump’s most recent ultimatum to enforce an further 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been called a “prime illustration” of US double standards, according to the China’s leadership.

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that China could introduce its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the US President follows through on his warning, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a looming commercial battle.

This past Friday, Trump retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its rules for foreign shipments of critical elements, charging China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “hostage”.

He also warned to withdraw from a arranged talks with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was set for a meeting in Seoul in the coming weeks.

His statements on last Friday unsettled financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index closing down over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since last spring.

His comments reignited concerns of a trade conflict between the US and China.

In May, the both nations had consented to drop triple-digit tariffs on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

Consequently, American import duties on Chinese imports incurring an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market incur a 10% tariff.

The most recent comments from China – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the format of written responses to media inquiries – mirrored terminology from the zenith of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced United States controls on electronic components while justifying Beijing’s overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “normal actions” to safeguard domestic safety and that of every country.

The spokesperson stated that for “an extended period”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, abused overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the correct approach to deal with the Chinese government,” the spokesperson said.

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has always been consistent: we wish to avoid one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Recently, China declared it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earths and further resources essential to high-technology production.

This was seen as a important measure, as the nation handles about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are utilized in goods such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being interpreted by observers as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a talks between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, expected at a high-level meeting in South Korea later this month, will take place as planned.