🔗 Share this article

The former US president’s most recent ultimatum to impose an extra 100% tariff on products from China has been described as a “classic case” of American hypocrisy, per the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that China could introduce its own unrevealed “countermeasures” if the White House occupant follows through on his pledge, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a potential trade war.

Last Friday, Trump retaliated at China’s decision to reinforce its policies for foreign shipments of rare earths, charging Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

He also vowed to withdraw from a scheduled meeting with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was set for a conference in South Korea in the coming weeks.

The former president’s remarks on that day unsettled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index closing down over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since April.

These statements revived apprehensions of a trade conflict between the United States and China.

Earlier this year, the respective governments had consented to remove triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of commerce ceasing between the two countries.

As a result, US tariffs on Chinese goods subject to an additional 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering China incur a import levy.

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

They criticised United States controls on semiconductors and chips while supporting Beijing’s export controls on rare earths as “normal actions” to safeguard domestic safety and that of all nations.

The official said that for “a long time”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of state security, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “adopted biased policies against the Chinese nation.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the correct approach to interact with China,” their representative said.

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

Last week, the Chinese government announced it was tightening overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and additional substances vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a significant step, as the country handles about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are utilized in goods such as solar panels and handheld devices.

Latest statements from both governments are being interpreted by some as a method of enhancing bargaining power in preparation for future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, planned at a high-level meeting in Seoul in the coming weeks, will still proceed.