🔗 Share this article

Trump’s most recent ultimatum to introduce an extra 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been described as a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that the nation could enact its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the White House occupant carries out his warning, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a potential trade war.

Last Friday, Donald Trump hit back at Beijing’s move to tighten its policies for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, charging China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

Furthermore, he warned to withdraw from a scheduled meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a summit in Seoul later this month.

Trump’s comments on Friday rattled financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index closing down over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since April.

His comments renewed concerns of a trade conflict between the United States and China.

Earlier this year, the respective governments had consented to remove significant levies on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of commerce ceasing between the two nations.

This left, United States levies on Chinese goods incurring an extra 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the country are subject to a 10% tariff.

The most recent comments from China – released by the Commerce Ministry in the form of formal replies to media inquiries – echoed language from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on electronic components while defending Beijing’s export controls on rare earths as “routine measures” to ensure domestic safety and that of all nations.

The official stated that for “many years”, the America had “broadened the definition” of state security, misused overseas sale restrictions and “enforced” biased policies against China.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the right way to deal with Beijing,” the official commented.

“The nation’s view” on a import duty dispute has always been consistent: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Last week, Beijing declared it was tightening export controls on key elements and additional substances essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a significant step, as the state handles about 90% of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in products such as renewable energy components and mobile phones.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by observers as a means of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of forthcoming discussions.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between Trump and China’s leader, planned at a conference in Seoul in the coming weeks, will go ahead.