🔗 Share this article

The former US president’s most recent ultimatum to enforce an extra complete levy on items imported from China has been called a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the Chinese government.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that the nation could introduce its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the American leader follows through on his pledge, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a potential trade war.

Last Friday, Trump retaliated at Beijing’s move to tighten its rules for exports of rare earth minerals, charging Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

He also warned to withdraw from a arranged talks with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was expected to take place during a conference in Seoul before the month ends.

Trump’s comments on last Friday rattled financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index closing down nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

His comments reignited apprehensions of a commercial dispute between the US and China.

This past spring, the respective governments had consented to eliminate significant levies on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the economic powers.

As a result, US tariffs on products from China subject to an additional import tax compared with the start of the year, while American products entering the country face a import levy.

The most recent comments from China – released by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of official answers to journalist’s questions – echoed rhetoric from the height of the recent trade conflict.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on electronic components while supporting the country’s own export controls on rare earths as “standard procedures” to ensure state interests and that of all nations.

The spokesperson remarked that for “a long time”, the United States had “broadened the definition” of domestic safety, abused export control measures and “enforced” unfair treatments against Beijing.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the correct approach to deal with Beijing,” their representative stated.

“The nation’s view” on a import duty dispute has consistently been steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Recently, China declared it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and additional substances critical for cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a significant step, as the country refines about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are employed in items such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being seen by observers as a method of bolstering negotiating stances in preparation for upcoming negotiations.

It is unclear whether a summit between the former president and President Xi, expected at a conference in Seoul before month’s end, will go ahead.