Chinese Government Condemns US of ‘Contradictory Stances’ Regarding Tariff Threat

Donald Trump’s latest ultimatum to impose an further full import duty on items imported from China has been labeled a “prime illustration” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry also stated that Beijing could enact its own unrevealed “countermeasures” if the White House occupant follows through on his pledge, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a potential trade war.

This past Friday, Trump retaliated at Beijing’s move to strengthen its policies for exports of rare earth minerals, accusing Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

He also vowed to cancel a planned meeting with China’s President Xi, which was set for a summit in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

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

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

In May, the respective governments had reached an agreement to remove high import duties on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

This left, United States levies on Chinese goods incurring an added import tax compared with the year’s onset, while American products entering the Chinese market incur a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the Commerce Ministry in the form of written responses to journalist’s questions – reflected rhetoric from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced US export restrictions on electronic components while defending Beijing’s export controls on key elements as “normal actions” to protect domestic safety and that of all nations.

The spokesperson stated that for “a long time”, the America had “overstretched the concept of national security, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “enforced” biased policies against Beijing.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the right way to deal with the Chinese government,” their representative stated.

“China’s position on a trade conflict has always been unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Recently, China declared it was reinforcing export controls on rare earths and additional substances vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a important measure, as the nation processes about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are utilized in products such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

New remarks from the US and China are being interpreted by analysts as a method of strengthening positions in preparation for future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a summit between the former president and China’s leader, expected at a high-level meeting in Seoul later this month, will still proceed.