🔗 Share this article

The former US president’s most recent ultimatum to enforce an further full import duty on items imported from China has been labeled a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that Beijing could implement its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the American leader carries out his warning, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a possible commercial battle.

On Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its policies for overseas sales of rare earths, charging China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

Additionally, he warned to pull out of a scheduled talks with China’s President Xi, which was arranged for a summit in South Korea later this month.

Trump’s comments on that day shook stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index dropping nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since April.

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

Earlier this year, the respective governments had agreed to remove high import duties on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

This left, American import duties on products from China incurring an additional import tax compared with the year’s onset, while American products entering the country are subject to a import levy.

The most recent comments from China – released by the Commerce Ministry in the form of official answers to journalist’s questions – mirrored terminology from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

They criticised US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while defending China’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earths as “normal actions” to protect national security and that of all nations.

Their representative remarked that for “a long time”, the US had “overstretched the concept of state security, misused foreign shipment regulations and “adopted unfair treatments against China.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the right way to engage with the Chinese government,” the spokesperson stated.

“Beijing’s stance” on a import duty dispute has remained consistent: we are not seeking one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Recently, Beijing declared it was strengthening export controls on rare earth minerals and additional substances essential to high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the country handles about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in items such as solar panels and handheld devices.

Latest statements from both governments are being viewed by analysts as a method of enhancing bargaining power ahead of upcoming negotiations.

It is unclear whether a summit between Trump and President Xi, scheduled at a conference in South Korea in the coming weeks, will still proceed.