🔗 Share this article

Donald Trump’s most recent warning to impose an further full import duty on items imported from China has been described as a “typical example” of American hypocrisy, per the Chinese government.

A representative of the ministry also stated that China could introduce its own unrevealed “countermeasures” if the American leader carries out his threat, adding that the country was “unafraid” of a possible commercial battle.

Last Friday, Trump retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its rules for exports of rare earths, alleging Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

Additionally, he vowed to pull out of a arranged summit with China’s President President Xi, which was expected to take place during a summit in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

His statements on Friday shook stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index dropping over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since last spring.

These statements revived apprehensions of a commercial dispute between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the respective governments had consented to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the economic powers.

As a result, US tariffs on products from China facing an added 30% levy compared with the year’s onset, while items from the United States entering China are subject to a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the relevant government department in the format of official answers to media inquiries – mirrored rhetoric from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while supporting Beijing’s export controls on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to ensure state interests and that of the global community.

Their representative stated that for “many years”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “enforced” unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Turning to” import duty warnings is not the correct approach to deal with the Chinese government,” the official said.

“China’s position on a tariff war has consistently been unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

Recently, China declared it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on rare earths and further resources essential to cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a important measure, as the nation handles about 90% of the world’s rare earths, which are used in items such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

The recent comments from Washington and Beijing are being seen by some as a method of strengthening positions ahead of future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between Trump and China’s leader, scheduled at a conference in Seoul before month’s end, will take place as planned.