🔗 Share this article

Donald Trump’s most recent warning to introduce an extra 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been labeled a “typical example” of US double standards, per the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that China could implement its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the American leader follows through on his pledge, noting that the country was “fearless” of a potential commercial battle.

Last Friday, Trump responded at Beijing’s move to reinforce its regulations for exports of critical elements, alleging the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “hostage”.

Additionally, he threatened to cancel a planned meeting with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was arranged for a meeting in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on that day shook stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index falling by 2.7%, marking its largest decline since April.

His comments reignited apprehensions of a trade conflict between the United States and China.

In May, the both nations had reached an agreement to remove significant levies on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

This left, United States levies on Chinese goods subject to an extra 30% levy compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering the country are subject to a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the Commerce Ministry in the format of written responses to journalist’s questions – mirrored terminology from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on electronic components while supporting Beijing’s restrictions on exports on rare earth minerals as “normal actions” to protect state interests and that of every country.

Their representative said that for “an extended period”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, abused export control measures and “adopted biased policies against Beijing.

“Turning to” trade levy ultimatums is not the correct approach to engage with China,” their representative said.

“China’s position on a trade conflict has remained unchanging: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, Beijing revealed it was tightening export controls on rare earths and other materials critical for advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a important measure, as the nation handles about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are used in products such as renewable energy components and mobile phones.

The recent comments from the US and China are being viewed by analysts as a method of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of upcoming negotiations.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between Trump and China’s leader, planned at a summit in Seoul later this month, will still proceed.