🔗 Share this article

The former US president’s latest threat to enforce an further complete levy on Chinese goods has been described as a “prime illustration” of US double standards, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A representative of the ministry further commented that Beijing could enact its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the US President follows through on his threat, adding that the country was “fearless” of a potential trade war.

Last Friday, Trump hit back at China’s decision to reinforce its policies for exports of rare earths, alleging Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “hostage”.

Additionally, he threatened to cancel a arranged summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was expected to take place during a meeting in the Republic of Korea before the month ends.

Trump’s comments on last Friday unsettled global markets, with the S&P 500 share index closing down nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since last spring.

His comments renewed fears of a trade war between the United States and China.

In May, the both nations had agreed to drop high import duties on each other’s goods, which had led to concerns of trade halting between the two countries.

As a result, US tariffs on Chinese goods incurring an added 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market face a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the relevant government department in the format of formal replies to journalist’s questions – mirrored rhetoric from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

They criticised American limits on exports on electronic components while defending the country’s own restrictions on exports on rare earths as “standard procedures” to protect domestic safety and that of the global community.

The spokesperson remarked that for “many years”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, abused export control measures and “implemented” unfair treatments against China.

“Turning to” import duty warnings is not the right way to deal with China,” their representative commented.

“Beijing’s stance” on a import duty dispute has always been steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government announced it was strengthening export controls on rare earths and other materials essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the nation handles about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are used in goods such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

New remarks from the US and China are being interpreted by analysts as a means of bolstering negotiating stances in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

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