🔗 Share this article

Trump’s newest threat to introduce an further 100% tariff on items imported from China has been called a “typical example” of US double standards, as stated by the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that the nation could enact its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the American leader carries out his pledge, adding that the country was “unafraid” of a looming trade war.

On Friday, Trump hit back at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its regulations for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, alleging China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

Additionally, he threatened to cancel a scheduled talks with Chinese leader President Xi, which was expected to take place during a meeting in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on last Friday shook stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 closing down nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since last spring.

These statements renewed apprehensions of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

Earlier this year, the respective governments had reached an agreement to drop high import duties on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of commerce ceasing between the two countries.

This left, United States levies on Chinese goods incurring an added thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering China face a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of official answers to journalist’s questions – mirrored rhetoric from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned United States controls on semiconductors and chips while supporting Beijing’s restrictions on exports on rare earths as “normal actions” to protect domestic safety and that of all nations.

Their representative stated that for “a long time”, the America had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, abused export control measures and “implemented” discriminatory practices against Beijing.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the proper method to engage with Beijing,” their representative commented.

“China’s position on a trade conflict has always been unchanging: we are not seeking one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Recently, China declared it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and other materials essential to high-technology production.

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

The recent comments from the US and China are being viewed by some as a means of strengthening positions in preparation for future trade talks.

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