Beijing Slams America of ‘Contradictory Stances’ Regarding Tariff Threat

The former US president’s most recent warning to enforce an additional full import duty on products from China has been labeled a “prime illustration” of American hypocrisy, per the Chinese government.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that China could implement its own unrevealed “retaliatory steps” if the American leader executes his warning, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a potential trade conflict.

Last Friday, Donald Trump hit back at Beijing’s move to tighten its policies for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, charging China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the world “captive”.

He also vowed to cancel a arranged talks with Chinese leader Xi, which was set for a summit in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

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

The president’s words reignited apprehensions of a trade war between the United States and China.

In May, the both nations had reached an agreement to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s goods, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

As a result, US tariffs on Chinese goods incurring an extra import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering China incur a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – issued by the relevant government department in the form of official answers to journalist’s questions – reflected rhetoric from the peak of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while defending China’s own restrictions on exports on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to protect state interests and that of all nations.

The official remarked that for “a long time”, the America had “overstretched the concept of state security, misused overseas sale restrictions and “enforced” unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Using” trade levy ultimatums is not the right way to interact with Beijing,” the spokesperson commented.

“The nation’s view” on a import duty dispute has remained unchanging: we are not seeking one, but we are fearless of one.”

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

This move was regarded as a key move, as the country handles about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are used in items such as solar panels and handheld devices.

New remarks from both governments are being viewed by some as a means of strengthening positions prior to upcoming negotiations.

It is unclear whether a summit between Donald Trump and President Xi, planned at a high-level meeting in South Korea in the coming weeks, will still proceed.