🔗 Share this article

Donald Trump’s latest ultimatum to introduce an extra 100% tariff on products from China has been labeled a “typical example” of American hypocrisy, according to the Chinese government.

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that China could enact its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the White House occupant executes his threat, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a potential trade war.

On Friday, Donald Trump responded at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its policies for foreign shipments of rare earths, charging China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the world “captive”.

He also threatened to withdraw from a planned summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was arranged for a conference in South Korea before the month ends.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday rattled global markets, with the S&P 500 share index dropping nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since April.

His comments renewed apprehensions of a trade conflict between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the two sides had reached an agreement to eliminate significant levies on each other’s products, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the two countries.

Consequently, United States levies on Chinese goods subject to an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering the Chinese market are subject to a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the format of written responses to journalist’s questions – echoed terminology from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised American limits on exports on electronic components while justifying the country’s own export controls on rare earths as “routine measures” to ensure domestic safety and that of every country.

The official said that for “a long time”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of state security, abused export control measures and “adopted discriminatory practices against Beijing.

“Using” tariff threats is not the proper method to deal with China,” the official commented.

“China’s position on a trade conflict has remained unchanging: we do not want one, but we are fearless of one.”

Last week, Beijing revealed it was strengthening export controls on rare earth minerals and other materials critical for advanced tech manufacturing.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the nation refines about 90% of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in goods such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being seen by some as a method of enhancing bargaining power ahead of upcoming negotiations.

Remains uncertain whether a talks between the former president and China’s leader, planned at a summit in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will still proceed.