Beijing Slams America of ‘Contradictory Stances’ Regarding Tariff Threat

Donald Trump’s latest warning to enforce an further 100% tariff on products from China has been labeled a “typical example” of American hypocrisy, per the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that China could implement its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant carries out his warning, adding that the country was “fearless” of a potential trade war.

Last Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at China’s decision to tighten its rules for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, alleging the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

Additionally, he vowed to withdraw from a planned summit with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was set for a conference in South Korea before the month ends.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday rattled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index falling by 2.7%, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

The president’s words revived concerns of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

This past spring, the respective governments had consented to eliminate high import duties on each other’s products, which had led to concerns of trade halting between the economic powers.

This left, United States levies on Chinese imports incurring an added thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while American products entering China face a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the relevant government department in the format of written responses to media inquiries – reflected language from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on chips and semi-conductors while defending the country’s own restrictions on exports on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to protect state interests and that of all nations.

Their representative said that for “many years”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, abused overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” unfair treatments against Beijing.

“Turning to” trade levy ultimatums is not the right way to deal with the Chinese government,” the spokesperson commented.

“The nation’s view” on a tariff war has consistently been steady: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Last week, China revealed it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and additional substances vital for high-technology production.

This was seen as a important measure, as the nation processes about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in goods such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

The recent comments from the US and China are being seen by analysts as a method of enhancing bargaining power in preparation for future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a conference in Seoul in the coming weeks, will still proceed.