🔗 Share this article

Donald Trump’s most recent ultimatum to introduce an extra complete levy on items imported from China has been called a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the Chinese government.

A representative of the ministry further commented that China could introduce its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant executes his threat, adding that the country was “unafraid” of a looming trade conflict.

On Friday, Trump responded at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its rules for exports of rare earths, charging Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

Furthermore, he warned to withdraw from a scheduled talks with China’s President President Xi, which was expected to take place during a meeting in Seoul in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on Friday unsettled financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index closing down 2.7%, marking its steepest fall since April.

These statements revived concerns of a commercial dispute between the two economic giants.

Earlier this year, the both nations had consented to eliminate high import duties on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the two nations.

This left, United States levies on Chinese goods incurring an extra 30% levy compared with the start of the year, while American products entering the country are subject to a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of official answers to media inquiries – mirrored language from the height of the recent trade conflict.

They criticised US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while supporting China’s own restrictions on exports on key elements as “normal actions” to safeguard domestic safety and that of all nations.

The spokesperson said that for “an extended period”, the United States had “broadened the definition” of national security, abused overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

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

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

The previous week, Beijing declared it was tightening overseas sale regulations on rare earths and other materials essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the country processes about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are utilized in goods such as renewable energy components and mobile phones.

New remarks from both governments are being seen by observers as a strategy of strengthening positions ahead of upcoming negotiations.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between the former president and China’s leader, expected at a high-level meeting in South Korea before month’s end, will still proceed.