🔗 Share this article

Donald Trump’s newest threat to enforce an additional full import duty on Chinese goods has been labeled a “classic case” of American hypocrisy, per the Chinese government.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that the nation could introduce its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the White House occupant carries out his pledge, adding that the country was “unafraid” of a looming trade war.

Last Friday, Trump responded at Beijing’s move to reinforce its policies for foreign shipments of rare earths, charging the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

He also threatened to cancel a arranged summit with Chinese leader Xi, which was set for a meeting in South Korea later this month.

His statements on that day rattled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index closing down 2.7%, marking its largest decline since April.

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

In May, the both nations had agreed to drop significant levies on each other’s products, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the economic powers.

As a result, US tariffs on Chinese imports subject to an added thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering China face a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the Commerce Ministry in the form of formal replies to media inquiries – reflected language from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on electronic components while justifying the country’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earths as “standard procedures” to ensure domestic safety and that of all nations.

Their representative stated that for “an extended period”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, abused foreign shipment regulations and “enforced” unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

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

“The nation’s view” on a tariff war has always been unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

Recently, China declared it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and further resources vital for cutting-edge industry.

This was seen as a important measure, as the country processes about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in products such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

New remarks from both governments are being interpreted by observers as a method of enhancing bargaining power prior to upcoming negotiations.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between Trump and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a summit in South Korea before month’s end, will still proceed.