🔗 Share this article

The former US president’s newest warning to introduce an extra full import duty on Chinese goods has been described as a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that the nation could implement its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the White House occupant carries out his warning, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a potential trade war.

Last Friday, the former president responded at Beijing’s move to tighten its rules for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, accusing China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

Furthermore, he vowed to pull out of a planned talks with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a summit in Seoul in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on Friday shook stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index closing down 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since April.

These statements reignited concerns of a trade war between the United States and China.

This past spring, the respective governments had consented to drop triple-digit tariffs on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the economic powers.

This left, US tariffs on Chinese imports incurring an added thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering China face a 10% tariff.

The most recent comments from China – released by the relevant government department in the manner of formal replies to press queries – mirrored rhetoric from the zenith of the latest commercial tensions.

They criticised US export restrictions on chips and semi-conductors while defending China’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “normal actions” to ensure state interests and that of every country.

The spokesperson said that for “a long time”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, misused foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” biased policies against Beijing.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the proper method to interact with Beijing,” the spokesperson said.

“The nation’s view” on a tariff war has always been consistent: we are not seeking one, but we are fearless of one.”

Last week, China declared it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earths and other materials vital for high-technology production.

This was seen as a important measure, as the nation handles about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are utilized in products such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

New remarks from both governments are being viewed by some as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances prior to upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a summit between Donald Trump and President Xi, expected at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea later this month, will still proceed.