🔗 Share this article

Trump’s most recent threat to introduce an further complete levy on products from China has been described as a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that China could enact its own unrevealed “responsive actions” if the American leader executes his threat, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a looming trade conflict.

Last Friday, Donald Trump hit back at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its policies for foreign shipments of rare earths, charging China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

He also vowed to pull out of a scheduled talks with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was expected to take place during a summit in South Korea before the month ends.

Trump’s comments on that day shook financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index dropping nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

His comments renewed concerns of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

This past spring, the two sides had agreed to remove significant levies on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the two nations.

Consequently, US tariffs on Chinese goods subject to an additional 30% levy compared with the start of the year, while US goods entering China incur a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of official answers to press queries – reflected language from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced United States controls on electronic components while defending the country’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to protect state interests and that of every country.

Their representative remarked that for “many years”, the America had “broadened the definition” of national security, misused foreign shipment regulations and “enforced” biased policies against the Chinese nation.

“Using” trade levy ultimatums is not the right way to engage with the Chinese government,” their representative said.

“The nation’s view” on a trade conflict has always been steady: we are not seeking one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Recently, Beijing revealed it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and additional substances vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the nation handles about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in products such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

New remarks from the US and China are being viewed by some as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between the former president and Xi Jinping, expected at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will go ahead.