🔗 Share this article

Donald Trump’s most recent warning to introduce an extra 100% tariff on items imported from China has been called a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the China’s leadership.

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that the nation could implement its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the American leader carries out his pledge, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a potential trade war.

On Friday, Donald Trump responded at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its rules for foreign shipments of critical elements, charging Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “captive”.

Furthermore, he warned to cancel a scheduled meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a meeting in the Republic of Korea later this month.

His statements on that day rattled global markets, with the S&P 500 dropping 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

These statements reignited apprehensions of a trade war between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the both nations had consented to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of trade halting between the two nations.

This left, US tariffs on products from China incurring an extra 30% levy compared with the start of the year, while items from the United States entering China face a 10% tariff.

The most recent comments from China – released by the relevant government department in the format of formal replies to press queries – mirrored rhetoric from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on electronic components while supporting the country’s own export controls on rare earths as “routine measures” to safeguard national security and that of the global community.

Their representative said that for “an extended period”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, misused foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” discriminatory practices against Beijing.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the correct approach to deal with China,” the spokesperson commented.

“Beijing’s stance” on a import duty dispute has consistently been consistent: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, China declared it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and other materials essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a significant step, as the state handles about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are used in goods such as renewable energy components and mobile phones.

The recent comments from both governments are being interpreted by analysts as a means of strengthening positions ahead of forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a meeting between the former president and President Xi, planned at a summit in South Korea before month’s end, will go ahead.