🔗 Share this article

The former US president’s most recent warning to introduce an extra 100% tariff on items imported from China has been labeled a “typical example” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that the nation could introduce its own unrevealed “countermeasures” if the American leader carries out his threat, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a potential trade conflict.

Last Friday, the former president hit back at China’s decision to tighten its regulations for overseas sales of critical elements, charging China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

Additionally, he warned to pull out of a arranged talks with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a conference in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on that day rattled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index closing down nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since April.

His comments revived concerns of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

In May, the both nations had reached an agreement to remove significant levies on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of commerce ceasing between the two nations.

This left, US tariffs on products from China subject to an additional import tax compared with the start of the year, while American products entering the Chinese market incur a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of written responses to journalist’s questions – reflected rhetoric from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while defending the country’s own export controls on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to protect domestic safety and that of the global community.

The spokesperson stated that for “an extended period”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “enforced” unfair treatments against China.

“Turning to” trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to engage with Beijing,” the official said.

“Beijing’s stance” on a trade conflict has always been unchanging: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Recently, China announced it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and other materials critical for cutting-edge industry.

This was seen as a important measure, as the country refines about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in products such as solar panels and mobile phones.

Latest statements from the US and China are being interpreted by some as a means of strengthening positions in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a talks between Trump and Xi Jinping, expected at a high-level meeting in Seoul before month’s end, will go ahead.