🔗 Share this article

Donald Trump’s latest warning to impose an extra 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been labeled a “prime illustration” of American hypocrisy, according to the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that China could implement its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the US President follows through on his warning, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a potential trade war.

On Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at Beijing’s move to strengthen its regulations for overseas sales of rare earths, alleging the Chinese leadership of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “captive”.

He also vowed to pull out of a planned meeting with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was set for a summit in South Korea later this month.

Trump’s comments on last Friday rattled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index falling by nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since April.

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

Earlier this year, the two sides had reached an agreement to eliminate high import duties on each other’s goods, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

Consequently, United States levies on products from China incurring an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering the country face a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of formal replies to media inquiries – reflected terminology from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

They criticised American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while defending Beijing’s overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to safeguard national security and that of every country.

The spokesperson remarked that for “an extended period”, the United States had “broadened the definition” of state security, misused export control measures and “implemented” biased policies against Beijing.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the proper method to interact with China,” the official stated.

“Beijing’s stance” on a trade conflict has consistently been consistent: we wish to avoid one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, Beijing declared it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and other materials vital for cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the state processes about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are utilized in goods such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by some as a means of strengthening positions ahead of future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between the former president and President Xi, scheduled at a summit in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will still proceed.