🔗 Share this article

Donald Trump’s latest threat to enforce an additional complete levy on items imported from China has been described as a “classic case” of US double standards, according to the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that the nation could introduce its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the American leader follows through on his threat, adding that the country was “fearless” of a possible trade conflict.

Last Friday, Trump hit back at China’s decision to reinforce its regulations for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, alleging the Chinese leadership of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “captive”.

Additionally, he warned to cancel a scheduled talks with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a conference in South Korea in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on that day unsettled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index dropping nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

These statements revived concerns of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

In May, the respective governments had agreed to remove significant levies on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of commerce ceasing between the two countries.

Consequently, American import duties on Chinese imports incurring an extra import tax compared with the year’s onset, while items from the United States entering the country are subject to a 10% tariff.

The most recent comments from China – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of written responses to press queries – mirrored terminology from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while justifying Beijing’s export controls on rare earth minerals as “normal actions” to protect domestic safety and that of the global community.

The spokesperson said that for “many years”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, misused overseas sale restrictions and “enforced” discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Turning to” import duty warnings is not the proper method to deal with the Chinese government,” the official said.

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

Recently, Beijing revealed it was reinforcing export controls on rare earth minerals and other materials essential to high-technology production.

This was seen as a important measure, as the state refines about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are used in goods such as solar panels and handheld devices.

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

Is not yet known whether a meeting between Trump and China’s leader, scheduled at a high-level meeting in Seoul before month’s end, will take place as planned.