🔗 Share this article

The former US president’s newest threat to introduce an extra 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been labeled a “classic case” of US double standards, as stated by the Chinese government.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that China could implement its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the US President carries out his threat, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a looming commercial battle.

Last Friday, the former president responded at China’s decision to reinforce its policies for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, accusing China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

Furthermore, he vowed to cancel a planned summit with Chinese leader President Xi, which was arranged for a conference in the Republic of Korea before the month ends.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday shook global markets, with the S&P 500 closing down over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since last spring.

His comments reignited fears of a trade war between the two economic giants.

This past spring, the respective governments had reached an agreement to eliminate high import duties on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of trade halting between the two nations.

As a result, United States levies on Chinese goods subject to an added thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering the Chinese market are subject to a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the relevant government department in the manner of written responses to media inquiries – mirrored terminology from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

Officials denounced United States controls on chips and semi-conductors while supporting China’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to safeguard domestic safety and that of all nations.

Their representative stated that for “an extended period”, the US had “overstretched the concept of state security, misused overseas sale restrictions and “enforced” discriminatory practices against Beijing.

“Using” tariff threats is not the correct approach to deal with China,” their representative said.

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war has always been unchanging: we do not want one, but we are fearless of one.”

Recently, the Chinese government revealed it was strengthening export controls on key elements and other materials vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a significant step, as the state handles about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in goods such as solar panels and smartphones.

New remarks from the US and China are being viewed by observers as a method of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between the former president and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will still proceed.