🔗 Share this article

The former US president’s newest threat to impose an additional complete levy on Chinese goods has been described as a “typical example” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A representative of the ministry further commented that the nation could implement its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the White House occupant follows through on his threat, noting that the country was “fearless” of a possible trade war.

Last Friday, the former president retaliated at China’s decision to strengthen its rules for overseas sales of rare earths, charging Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

He also threatened to cancel a planned talks with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a meeting in the Republic of Korea before the month ends.

His statements on that day shook financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index dropping nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

His comments renewed fears of a commercial dispute between the two economic giants.

This past spring, the two sides had reached an agreement to eliminate significant levies on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the two nations.

Consequently, American import duties on products from China facing an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering the Chinese market are subject to a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of official answers to press queries – mirrored terminology from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while defending China’s own restrictions on exports on rare earths as “normal actions” to ensure national security and that of the global community.

The spokesperson said that for “a long time”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, abused export control measures and “enforced” unfair treatments against Beijing.

“Using” trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to interact with the Chinese government,” the official said.

“Beijing’s stance” on a trade conflict has always been unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Last week, the Chinese government announced it was strengthening overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and further resources vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

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

The recent comments from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by analysts as a method of bolstering negotiating stances prior to upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between Donald Trump and China’s leader, expected at a high-level meeting in Seoul in the coming weeks, will go ahead.