🔗 Share this article

Trump’s latest threat to impose an further full import duty on items imported from China has been described as a “prime illustration” of American hypocrisy, according to the China’s leadership.

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that the nation could implement its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant follows through on his threat, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a potential trade conflict.

On Friday, Donald Trump responded at China’s decision to reinforce its rules for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, charging Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

Additionally, he threatened to pull out of a arranged meeting with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a conference in the Republic of Korea before the month ends.

His statements on Friday shook financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index falling by over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

His comments reignited fears of a trade conflict between the United States and China.

This past spring, the two sides had reached an agreement to drop significant levies on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of commerce ceasing between the economic powers.

Consequently, US tariffs on Chinese goods incurring an added 30% levy compared with the year’s onset, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market face a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of formal replies to media inquiries – echoed rhetoric from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced United States controls on electronic components while defending the country’s own restrictions on exports on key elements as “standard procedures” to protect national security and that of every country.

Their representative said that for “many years”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, exploited overseas sale restrictions and “adopted biased policies against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the correct approach to interact with China,” the official said.

“Beijing’s stance” on a import duty dispute has consistently been unchanging: we are not seeking one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Last week, Beijing declared it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and further resources vital for high-technology production.

This was seen as a important measure, as the nation handles about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are employed in products such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being interpreted by observers as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a meeting between the former president and China’s leader, expected at a summit in South Korea in the coming weeks, will go ahead.