🔗 Share this article

Trump’s latest ultimatum to impose an additional complete levy on products from China has been described as a “typical example” of US double standards, according to the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that the nation could implement its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the American leader carries out his threat, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a possible commercial battle.

On Friday, Trump retaliated at Beijing’s move to strengthen its rules for foreign shipments of critical elements, accusing the Chinese leadership of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

He also threatened to withdraw from a scheduled summit with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a meeting in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on last Friday rattled financial markets, with the S&P 500 dropping nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since April.

These statements reignited apprehensions of a trade war between the two economic giants.

Earlier this year, the respective governments had agreed to remove significant levies on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

Consequently, United States levies on Chinese goods subject to an added 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering China incur a 10% tariff.

The most recent comments from China – released by the relevant government department in the manner of written responses to media inquiries – echoed language from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while supporting China’s own export controls on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to protect state interests and that of every country.

Their representative said that for “many years”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, misused export control measures and “adopted discriminatory practices against China.

“Turning to” import duty warnings is not the right way to engage with Beijing,” the official commented.

“China’s position on a trade conflict has always been unchanging: we are not seeking one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Recently, the Chinese government declared it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and other materials critical for high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the state refines about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are used in items such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

The recent comments from the US and China are being interpreted by some as a means of bolstering negotiating stances prior to upcoming negotiations.

Remains uncertain whether a talks between Trump and President Xi, expected at a summit in Seoul in the coming weeks, will still proceed.