🔗 Share this article

Donald Trump’s most recent threat to introduce an extra full import duty on Chinese goods has been labeled a “typical example” of American hypocrisy, per the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry further commented that the nation could implement its own unrevealed “retaliatory steps” if the US President carries out his threat, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a looming trade war.

On Friday, the former president responded at Beijing’s move to strengthen its regulations for overseas sales of critical elements, alleging the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the world “hostage”.

He also warned to cancel a planned talks with Chinese leader President Xi, which was expected to take place during a conference in Seoul before the month ends.

Trump’s comments on that day shook global markets, with the benchmark US stock index falling by 2.7%, marking its steepest fall since April.

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

In May, the respective governments had reached an agreement to drop significant levies on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the two nations.

As a result, United States levies on Chinese imports incurring an added import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering China are subject to a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the form of official answers to media inquiries – reflected terminology from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while supporting Beijing’s restrictions on exports on key elements as “routine measures” to safeguard domestic safety and that of all nations.

Their representative remarked that for “many years”, the US had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, abused foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” discriminatory practices against China.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the right way to interact with the Chinese government,” their representative said.

“The nation’s view” on a tariff war has consistently been steady: we do not want one, but we are fearless of one.”

Last week, the Chinese government announced it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and other materials essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the nation processes about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in goods such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

New remarks from the US and China are being interpreted by some as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

Remains uncertain whether a talks between the former president and President Xi, scheduled at a conference in South Korea later this month, will take place as planned.