🔗 Share this article

Trump’s latest warning to enforce an extra full import duty on products from China has been labeled a “prime illustration” of US double standards, according to the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry further commented that Beijing could introduce its own unrevealed “retaliatory steps” if the American leader follows through on his warning, adding that the country was “fearless” of a possible trade war.

On Friday, Trump hit back at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its rules for exports of rare earth minerals, accusing China of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “captive”.

Additionally, he vowed to pull out of a planned meeting with Chinese leader Xi, which was expected to take place during a summit in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on that day rattled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index dropping over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

The president’s words renewed apprehensions of a trade war between the two economic giants.

In May, the respective governments had agreed to remove triple-digit tariffs on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the two nations.

Consequently, US tariffs on Chinese imports facing an added 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering China face a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of written responses to press queries – mirrored terminology from the peak of the recent trade conflict.

They criticised US export restrictions on electronic components while justifying China’s own restrictions on exports on rare earths as “standard procedures” to ensure state interests and that of the global community.

The spokesperson stated that for “many years”, the US had “overstretched the concept of national security, exploited export control measures and “implemented” discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the correct approach to deal with China,” their representative stated.

“The nation’s view” on a trade conflict has consistently been unchanging: we are not seeking one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Last week, Beijing declared it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on key elements and further resources critical for high-technology production.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the nation refines about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in products such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

The recent comments from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by analysts as a means of strengthening positions ahead of future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a summit between Trump and China’s leader, scheduled at a high-level meeting in Seoul later this month, will still proceed.