🔗 Share this article

Trump’s newest warning to enforce an further complete levy on products from China has been labeled a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that Beijing could enact its own unrevealed “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant follows through on his pledge, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a possible trade conflict.

Last Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at Beijing’s move to strengthen its rules for overseas sales of rare earths, accusing China of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “captive”.

Additionally, he warned to withdraw from a scheduled talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which was set for a conference in South Korea before the month ends.

Trump’s comments on that day unsettled financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index falling by over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since April.

These statements renewed fears of a trade conflict between the two economic giants.

This past spring, the two sides had reached an agreement to eliminate high import duties on each other’s products, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

As a result, United States levies on products from China subject to an extra import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering China face a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the relevant government department in the manner of official answers to journalist’s questions – echoed rhetoric from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced United States controls on chips and semi-conductors while supporting China’s own export controls on rare earths as “normal actions” to safeguard national security and that of the global community.

Their representative stated that for “a long time”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, abused overseas sale restrictions and “enforced” biased policies against the Chinese nation.

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

“The nation’s view” on a trade conflict has consistently been steady: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Last week, the Chinese government declared it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and further resources essential to high-technology production.

This was seen as a important measure, as the state refines about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in goods such as solar panels and smartphones.

The recent comments from both governments are being seen by analysts as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power prior to upcoming negotiations.

It is unclear whether a talks between Trump and President Xi, planned at a high-level meeting in Seoul in the coming weeks, will still proceed.