🔗 Share this article

Trump’s latest ultimatum to enforce an extra complete levy on items imported from China has been described as a “prime illustration” of American hypocrisy, per the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that the nation could introduce its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant carries out his warning, adding that the country was “fearless” of a possible commercial battle.

On Friday, the former president retaliated at China’s decision to strengthen its rules for exports of critical elements, alleging China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

Furthermore, he vowed to pull out of a scheduled talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a meeting in South Korea later this month.

Trump’s comments on that day shook financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index closing down over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

The president’s words revived apprehensions of a trade war between the United States and China.

This past spring, the respective governments had reached an agreement to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the two nations.

As a result, American import duties on Chinese goods subject to an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the Chinese market incur a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – published by the relevant government department in the manner of written responses to media inquiries – reflected rhetoric from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on electronic components while defending Beijing’s restrictions on exports on key elements as “normal actions” to ensure national security and that of all nations.

The spokesperson stated that for “an extended period”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, misused foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” discriminatory practices against Beijing.

“Turning to” import duty warnings is not the correct approach to interact with China,” the official said.

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war 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 export controls on rare earths and other materials essential to high-technology production.

The action was viewed as a important measure, as the nation refines about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are utilized in products such as solar panels and mobile phones.

New remarks from the US and China are being viewed by some as a means of enhancing bargaining power prior to future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a summit between the former president and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a summit in South Korea later this month, will take place as planned.