🔗 Share this article

Trump’s most recent warning to impose an additional complete levy on items imported from China has been described as a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Chinese government.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry also stated that the nation could enact its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the American leader follows through on his threat, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a potential trade conflict.

Last Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at Beijing’s move to reinforce its regulations for exports of rare earth minerals, accusing the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

He also warned to pull out of a scheduled meeting with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was expected to take place during a summit in Seoul before the month ends.

His statements on last Friday unsettled global markets, with the S&P 500 falling by 2.7%, marking its largest decline since April.

His comments renewed fears of a trade conflict between the US and China.

In May, the respective governments had consented to remove high import duties on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

Consequently, US tariffs on Chinese goods subject to an added thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while American products entering China incur a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the format of formal replies to press queries – mirrored terminology from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

They criticised United States controls on electronic components while justifying Beijing’s export controls on rare earths as “normal actions” to safeguard national security and that of all nations.

The official said that for “an extended period”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of state security, abused foreign shipment regulations and “enforced” unfair treatments against China.

“Using” trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to interact with Beijing,” the spokesperson stated.

“Beijing’s stance” on a trade conflict has consistently been consistent: we are not seeking one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Last week, the Chinese government declared it was tightening overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and other materials essential to cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a important measure, as the state processes about 90% of the global rare earth supply, which are used in goods such as solar panels and mobile phones.

Latest statements from the US and China are being seen by observers as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances in preparation for upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a summit between the former president and China’s leader, expected at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will still proceed.