🔗 Share this article

Trump’s most recent threat to impose an further complete levy on products from China has been labeled a “prime illustration” of US double standards, per the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that the nation could implement its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the American leader follows through on his warning, noting that the country was “fearless” of a looming trade war.

This past Friday, Donald Trump responded at China’s decision to tighten its policies for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, accusing the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

He also vowed to withdraw from a scheduled meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a meeting in Seoul before the month ends.

His statements on that day unsettled financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index dropping 2.7%, marking its largest decline since April.

The president’s words reignited fears of a commercial dispute between the US and China.

This past spring, the two sides had agreed to eliminate significant levies on each other’s products, which had led to concerns of commerce ceasing between the two countries.

This left, American import duties on Chinese imports incurring an additional import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering the country face a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – released by the Commerce Ministry in the format of written responses to journalist’s questions – reflected rhetoric from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced United States controls on chips and semi-conductors while justifying China’s own overseas sale regulations on key elements as “normal actions” to protect domestic safety and that of every country.

The spokesperson remarked that for “an extended period”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, exploited export control measures and “enforced” biased policies against Beijing.

“Using” tariff threats is not the proper method to deal with the Chinese government,” the official stated.

“The nation’s view” on a trade conflict has consistently been unchanging: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Recently, the Chinese government declared it was strengthening export controls on key elements and other materials critical for advanced tech manufacturing.

This move was regarded as a significant step, as the nation refines about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in products such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

Latest statements from both governments are being interpreted by some as a method of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a summit between the former president and China’s leader, scheduled at a summit in South Korea later this month, will take place as planned.