🔗 Share this article

Donald Trump’s latest ultimatum to impose an further full import duty on items imported from China has been called a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry also stated that China could implement its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the US President follows through on his threat, adding that the country was “unafraid” of a potential trade war.

Last Friday, the former president responded at China’s decision to reinforce its policies for overseas sales of rare earths, charging Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

Furthermore, he vowed to withdraw from a arranged meeting with Chinese leader President Xi, which was arranged for a conference in South Korea before the month ends.

His statements on that day unsettled financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index dropping over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since last spring.

The president’s words renewed apprehensions of a trade war between the US and China.

This past spring, the two sides had consented to remove high import duties on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the economic powers.

As a result, American import duties on products from China subject to an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while US goods entering China are subject to a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of formal replies to journalist’s questions – reflected terminology from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised US export restrictions on electronic components while defending China’s own restrictions on exports on key elements as “normal actions” to ensure national security and that of the global community.

Their representative remarked that for “a long time”, the America had “broadened the definition” of state security, misused export control measures and “adopted discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the proper method to engage with the Chinese government,” the official stated.

“The nation’s view” on a trade conflict has remained steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Last week, China revealed it was tightening export controls on rare earths and further resources critical for high-technology production.

This was seen as a important measure, as the nation handles about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in goods such as renewable energy components and mobile phones.

New remarks from the US and China are being interpreted by analysts as a means of bolstering negotiating stances prior to upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between Donald Trump and President Xi, expected at a conference in South Korea before month’s end, will still proceed.