🔗 Share this article

Trump’s newest warning to introduce an additional 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been called a “prime illustration” of US double standards, according to the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that the nation could introduce its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the White House occupant executes his warning, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a potential commercial battle.

This past Friday, Trump retaliated at China’s decision to tighten its regulations for foreign shipments of critical elements, accusing China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “captive”.

Furthermore, he vowed to withdraw from a planned meeting with China’s President Xi, which was arranged for a meeting in the Republic of Korea later this month.

His statements on last Friday rattled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index closing down 2.7%, marking its largest decline since last spring.

The president’s words reignited apprehensions of a trade conflict between the two economic giants.

Earlier this year, the two sides had reached an agreement to eliminate high import duties on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the two countries.

Consequently, United States levies on Chinese goods incurring an extra import tax compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering the Chinese market are subject to a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of formal replies to media inquiries – mirrored language from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced US export restrictions on electronic components while supporting China’s own export controls on rare earths as “standard procedures” to protect state interests and that of the global community.

The spokesperson remarked that for “an extended period”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, misused overseas sale restrictions and “adopted discriminatory practices against Beijing.

“Turning to” import duty warnings is not the right way to deal with the Chinese government,” their representative said.

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war has always been unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, China revealed it was strengthening export controls on rare earth minerals and other materials vital for high-technology production.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the country processes about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are utilized in items such as solar panels and mobile phones.

New remarks from both governments are being seen by analysts as a means of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between the former president and Xi Jinping, planned at a summit in Seoul in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.