🔗 Share this article

Trump’s latest ultimatum to introduce an extra full import duty on Chinese goods has been described as a “typical example” of US double standards, according to the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that China could enact its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the US President carries out his threat, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a possible commercial battle.

This past Friday, Trump hit back at China’s decision to tighten its rules for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, accusing Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

Additionally, he vowed to pull out of a scheduled summit with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a summit in Seoul later this month.

His statements on that day unsettled financial markets, with the S&P 500 falling by over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

These statements renewed fears of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

This past spring, the both nations had agreed to remove high import duties on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the two nations.

As a result, American import duties on Chinese imports incurring an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering the country incur a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the format of formal replies to press queries – echoed terminology from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on electronic components while justifying Beijing’s restrictions on exports on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to protect domestic safety and that of the global community.

The spokesperson stated that for “many years”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, exploited overseas sale restrictions and “enforced” biased policies against China.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the correct approach to interact with China,” the spokesperson stated.

“China’s position on a tariff war has remained consistent: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Recently, the Chinese government announced it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on rare earths and additional substances critical for high-technology production.

This was seen as a significant step, as the state handles about 90% of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in items such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

The recent comments from both governments are being interpreted by observers as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power prior to forthcoming discussions.

Remains uncertain whether a talks between Donald Trump and President Xi, expected at a summit in South Korea before month’s end, will go ahead.