🔗 Share this article

Donald Trump’s newest ultimatum to enforce an additional 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been labeled a “prime illustration” of US double standards, according to the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that Beijing could enact its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the American leader executes his warning, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a looming trade war.

This past Friday, the former president retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its policies for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, accusing Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “hostage”.

He also vowed to pull out of a planned talks with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was expected to take place during a meeting in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday unsettled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index falling by 2.7%, marking its largest decline since April.

The president’s words reignited concerns of a trade war between the two economic giants.

This past spring, the respective governments had consented to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the economic powers.

As a result, US tariffs on Chinese goods incurring an additional import tax compared with the start of the year, while US goods entering the Chinese market incur a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – released by the relevant government department in the manner of written responses to press queries – mirrored language from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while justifying the country’s own export controls on rare earths as “normal actions” to safeguard domestic safety and that of the global community.

Their representative remarked that for “an extended period”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, abused foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” unfair treatments against China.

“Using” trade levy ultimatums is not the right way to interact with China,” the official said.

“China’s position on a tariff war has always been steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government revealed it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and additional substances vital for high-technology production.

The action was viewed as a important measure, as the country processes about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in products such as solar panels and handheld devices.

The recent comments from the US and China are being interpreted by observers as a method of enhancing bargaining power prior to upcoming negotiations.

It is unclear whether a talks between the former president and Xi Jinping, planned at a conference in the Republic of Korea later this month, will take place as planned.