🔗 Share this article

The former US president’s newest ultimatum to enforce an further 100% tariff on items imported from China has been described as a “typical example” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry also stated that Beijing could implement its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the American leader executes his pledge, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a possible commercial battle.

On Friday, the former president retaliated at China’s decision to strengthen its rules for foreign shipments of critical elements, charging Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

Additionally, he threatened to cancel a planned meeting with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was set for a meeting in the Republic of Korea later this month.

Trump’s comments on Friday unsettled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index falling by 2.7%, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

His comments renewed concerns of a trade war between the United States and China.

Earlier this year, the two sides had reached an agreement to remove high import duties on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of commerce ceasing between the economic powers.

Consequently, American import duties on Chinese goods subject to an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while items from the United States entering the country are subject to a 10% tariff.

The most recent comments from China – released by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of written responses to journalist’s questions – reflected language from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

The remarks condemned United States controls on electronic components while defending Beijing’s export controls on key elements as “normal actions” to safeguard domestic safety and that of the global community.

The spokesperson stated that for “a long time”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, abused export control measures and “adopted biased policies against the Chinese nation.

“Turning to” trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to deal with Beijing,” their representative stated.

“Beijing’s stance” on a import duty dispute has consistently been consistent: we wish to avoid one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government announced it was reinforcing export controls on rare earth minerals and further resources critical for cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the nation refines about 90% of the global rare earth supply, which are utilized in items such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

The recent comments from both governments are being viewed by observers as a method of strengthening positions prior to forthcoming discussions.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between Donald Trump and President Xi, scheduled at a high-level meeting in Seoul in the coming weeks, will still proceed.