Chinese Government Condemns US of ‘Hypocritical Policies’ Regarding Trade Levy Warning

The former US president’s most recent ultimatum to impose an additional full import duty on products from China has been called a “classic case” of American hypocrisy, per the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that China could introduce its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the US President follows through on his threat, adding that the country was “fearless” of a potential trade conflict.

Last Friday, Trump retaliated at China’s decision to reinforce its rules for exports of rare earths, alleging China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “captive”.

Additionally, he warned to pull out of a arranged talks with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a meeting in South Korea in the coming weeks.

The former president’s remarks on that day rattled financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index closing down nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since April.

His comments revived apprehensions of a trade conflict between the two economic giants.

In May, the two sides had agreed to eliminate high import duties on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the two nations.

This left, US tariffs on Chinese imports incurring an extra import tax compared with the year’s onset, while American products entering the Chinese market face a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – released by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of official answers to press queries – echoed terminology from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

They criticised American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while defending China’s own restrictions on exports on key elements as “normal actions” to safeguard state interests and that of every country.

The spokesperson remarked that for “a long time”, the US had “broadened the definition” of national security, exploited export control measures and “enforced” biased policies against Beijing.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the proper method to deal with China,” their representative said.

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war has remained steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Recently, China declared it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earths and additional substances essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the country refines about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are used in products such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

The recent comments from Washington and Beijing are being seen by some as a strategy of strengthening positions ahead of forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a meeting between Trump and China’s leader, expected at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will go ahead.