🔗 Share this article

Trump’s newest ultimatum to introduce an additional complete levy on products from China has been labeled a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that Beijing could introduce its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the American leader follows through on his pledge, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a looming trade war.

This past Friday, Trump responded at Beijing’s move to strengthen its rules for overseas sales of critical elements, accusing China of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

Additionally, he warned to cancel a scheduled meeting with China’s President Xi, which was expected to take place during a summit in Seoul in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on that day rattled stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index closing down over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since April.

These statements reignited fears of a commercial dispute between the US and China.

In May, the both nations had reached an agreement to remove significant levies on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the two countries.

This left, United States levies on Chinese goods incurring an extra import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering China are subject to a 10% tariff.

The most recent comments from China – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of written responses to media inquiries – echoed language from the peak of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on electronic components while defending China’s own export controls on rare earth minerals as “normal actions” to ensure domestic safety and that of the global community.

Their representative remarked that for “many years”, the US had “broadened the definition” of domestic safety, misused export control measures and “enforced” unfair treatments against Beijing.

“Turning to” import duty warnings is not the proper method to engage with the Chinese government,” the spokesperson stated.

“Beijing’s stance” on a import duty dispute has remained consistent: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government declared it was tightening overseas sale regulations on key elements and other materials critical for cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a significant step, as the nation refines about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in items such as renewable energy components and mobile phones.

Latest statements from the US and China are being interpreted by observers as a method of enhancing bargaining power prior to upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between Trump and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a summit in South Korea before month’s end, will go ahead.