🔗 Share this article

Donald Trump’s most recent warning to enforce an additional 100% tariff on items imported from China has been described as a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the China’s leadership.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that China could enact its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the US President follows through on his threat, noting that the country was “fearless” of a potential trade conflict.

This past Friday, Trump retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its rules for exports of rare earths, alleging Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

Furthermore, he vowed to cancel a scheduled meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a conference in South Korea before the month ends.

Trump’s comments on last Friday rattled stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index closing down nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

These statements reignited apprehensions of a trade war between the United States and China.

In May, the both nations had consented to remove significant levies on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of trade halting between the two nations.

As a result, United States levies on products from China subject to an added 30% levy compared with the start of the year, while items from the United States entering China incur a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – published by the Commerce Ministry in the format of official answers to press queries – echoed rhetoric from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced United States controls on electronic components while defending the country’s own restrictions on exports on rare earths as “standard procedures” to protect national security and that of all nations.

Their representative said that for “an extended period”, the United States had “broadened the definition” of national security, exploited overseas sale restrictions and “enforced” biased policies against China.

“Turning to” trade levy ultimatums is not the right way to deal with Beijing,” the spokesperson commented.

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has remained steady: we are not seeking one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Last week, China revealed it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on rare earths and other materials vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a important measure, as the state processes about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in goods such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

The recent comments from the US and China are being interpreted by observers as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power ahead of forthcoming discussions.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between Trump and President Xi, planned at a summit in the Republic of Korea later this month, will take place as planned.