🔗 Share this article

Trump’s latest threat to enforce an extra full import duty on items imported from China has been labeled a “prime illustration” of US double standards, as stated by the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry also stated that China could implement its own unrevealed “countermeasures” if the American leader follows through on his threat, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a possible commercial battle.

This past Friday, Donald Trump responded at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its rules for exports of rare earth minerals, accusing Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

Furthermore, he threatened to withdraw from a scheduled meeting with China’s President President Xi, which was expected to take place during a conference in Seoul before the month ends.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday shook stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index dropping nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

The president’s words revived concerns of a trade war between the US and China.

In May, the two sides had consented to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

Consequently, American import duties on Chinese imports facing an extra 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market face a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of official answers to media inquiries – echoed rhetoric from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while supporting China’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “normal actions” to safeguard state interests and that of all nations.

Their representative stated that for “a long time”, the America had “overstretched the concept of national security, abused foreign shipment regulations and “adopted discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the right way to deal with the Chinese government,” the official said.

“The nation’s view” on a trade conflict has remained unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, Beijing declared it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on rare earths and other materials vital for high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the country handles about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in products such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

The recent comments from the US and China are being seen by observers as a means of strengthening positions prior to forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a talks between the former president and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a summit in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will still proceed.