🔗 Share this article

Trump’s newest warning to impose an further 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been described as a “prime illustration” of American hypocrisy, according to the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that Beijing could introduce its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the American leader executes his threat, adding that the country was “unafraid” of a possible trade war.

This past Friday, Trump hit back at Beijing’s move to strengthen its rules for exports of rare earth minerals, alleging Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “captive”.

Furthermore, he vowed to cancel a arranged summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was expected to take place during a conference in Seoul in the coming weeks.

The former president’s remarks on Friday shook global markets, with the benchmark US stock index falling by nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

The president’s words revived apprehensions of a trade war between the United States and China.

Earlier this year, the two sides had agreed to remove triple-digit tariffs on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of commerce ceasing between the two nations.

As a result, US tariffs on products from China subject to an extra 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering China face a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – released by the Ministry of Commerce in the format of written responses to journalist’s questions – mirrored terminology from the height of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned United States controls on electronic components while justifying Beijing’s overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to protect domestic safety and that of the global community.

Their representative stated that for “many years”, the US had “overstretched the concept of state security, abused export control measures and “enforced” unfair treatments against Beijing.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the right way to deal with China,” the official commented.

“The nation’s view” on a import duty dispute has always been unchanging: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Last week, China announced it was tightening export controls on rare earths and other materials vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

This move was regarded as a significant step, as the country handles about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in products such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

The recent comments from both governments are being viewed by observers as a means of bolstering negotiating stances in preparation for future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between Trump and China’s leader, expected at a conference in South Korea before month’s end, will take place as planned.