🔗 Share this article

The former US president’s newest threat to enforce an further full import duty on items imported from China has been labeled a “typical example” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that Beijing could introduce its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the White House occupant carries out his warning, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a possible trade war.

Last Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its rules for foreign shipments of rare earths, alleging the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “hostage”.

Additionally, he warned to pull out of a arranged summit with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was set for a summit in Seoul before the month ends.

Trump’s comments on that day rattled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 closing down over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since last spring.

The president’s words reignited apprehensions of a commercial dispute between the two economic giants.

Earlier this year, the two sides had agreed to eliminate significant levies on each other’s products, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

This left, US tariffs on Chinese imports incurring an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering the Chinese market face a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the format of official answers to media inquiries – echoed rhetoric from the peak of the recent trade conflict.

They criticised US export restrictions on electronic components while justifying Beijing’s export controls on rare earths as “standard procedures” to ensure national security and that of all nations.

The official remarked that for “an extended period”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, abused export control measures and “adopted unfair treatments against China.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to interact with Beijing,” the official said.

“The nation’s view” on a import duty dispute has consistently been unchanging: we are not seeking one, but we are fearless of one.”

Last week, the Chinese government announced it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and further resources critical for cutting-edge industry.

This was seen as a significant step, as the country refines about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are used in goods such as renewable energy components and mobile phones.

Latest statements from both governments are being viewed by observers as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances prior to upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a talks between Trump and China’s leader, expected at a summit in the Republic of Korea later this month, will go ahead.