🔗 Share this article

The former US president’s latest ultimatum to enforce an extra full import duty on products from China has been labeled a “prime illustration” of American hypocrisy, according to the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that China could introduce its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the US President executes his threat, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a looming trade conflict.

On Friday, the former president responded at China’s decision to tighten its regulations for foreign shipments of rare earths, charging Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “hostage”.

Additionally, he warned to withdraw from a arranged meeting with Chinese leader Xi, which was expected to take place during a conference in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

His statements on Friday unsettled financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index dropping 2.7%, marking its largest decline since last spring.

The president’s words reignited concerns of a trade conflict between the United States and China.

This past spring, the two sides had reached an agreement to remove significant levies 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 added 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering China face a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the form of written responses to journalist’s questions – reflected language from the height of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while defending Beijing’s export controls on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to protect domestic safety and that of the global community.

The spokesperson remarked that for “an extended period”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, abused overseas sale restrictions and “enforced” discriminatory practices against China.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the proper method to engage with Beijing,” the spokesperson commented.

“Beijing’s stance” on a import duty dispute has consistently been consistent: we are not seeking one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, Beijing declared it was tightening export controls on rare earth minerals and additional substances critical for cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the country handles about 90% of the global rare earth supply, which are used in goods such as solar panels and handheld devices.

Latest statements from the US and China are being seen by observers as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between Trump and President Xi, planned at a high-level meeting in South Korea before month’s end, will take place as planned.