🔗 Share this article

Trump’s most recent threat to impose an further complete levy on products from China has been described as a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that China could implement its own unrevealed “responsive actions” if the US President carries out his warning, adding that the country was “fearless” of a potential trade war.

On Friday, Trump hit back at China’s decision to strengthen its regulations for foreign shipments of critical elements, charging the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “hostage”.

Additionally, he vowed to pull out of a scheduled summit with Chinese leader President Xi, which was expected to take place during a conference in the Republic of Korea later this month.

His statements on last Friday unsettled financial markets, with the S&P 500 dropping nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since April.

His comments renewed apprehensions of a trade conflict between the United States and China.

In May, the two sides had agreed to remove high import duties on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the two nations.

As a result, United States levies on Chinese imports subject to an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while US goods entering China face a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – released by the relevant government department in the manner of official answers to media inquiries – echoed language from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on electronic components while defending the country’s own export controls on rare earths as “normal actions” to ensure domestic safety and that of all nations.

The spokesperson remarked that for “an extended period”, the America had “overstretched the concept of state security, abused foreign shipment regulations and “adopted discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the right way to engage with China,” the spokesperson commented.

“Beijing’s stance” on a trade conflict has consistently been consistent: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

Last week, China declared it was tightening overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and other materials essential to cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a important measure, as the state handles about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are used in goods such as solar panels and mobile phones.

The recent comments from the US and China are being interpreted by analysts as a strategy of strengthening positions in preparation for future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between Donald Trump and President Xi, expected at a conference in Seoul in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.