🔗 Share this article

Donald Trump’s most recent ultimatum to impose an extra full import duty on Chinese goods has been labeled a “prime illustration” of American hypocrisy, according to the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that China could introduce its own unrevealed “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant carries out his threat, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a possible trade conflict.

On Friday, Trump hit back at China’s decision to reinforce its regulations for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, alleging Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

He also threatened to pull out of a planned meeting with Chinese leader President Xi, which was arranged for a meeting in Seoul in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on that day shook financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index closing down nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

His comments reignited fears of a commercial dispute between the US and China.

This past spring, the both nations had reached an agreement to drop triple-digit tariffs on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

This left, American import duties on Chinese goods incurring an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering China face a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of official answers to journalist’s questions – mirrored rhetoric from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

They criticised American limits on exports on electronic components while supporting Beijing’s overseas sale regulations on rare earths as “standard procedures” to safeguard domestic safety and that of all nations.

The spokesperson said that for “many years”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, exploited overseas sale restrictions and “enforced” unfair treatments against Beijing.

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

“Beijing’s stance” on a import duty dispute has remained steady: we are not seeking one, but we are fearless of one.”

Recently, China declared it was strengthening overseas sale regulations on key elements and other materials vital for cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a important measure, as the nation processes about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are used in goods such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being interpreted by analysts as a strategy of strengthening positions ahead of forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a summit between the former president and President Xi, scheduled at a conference in South Korea in the coming weeks, will still proceed.