Beijing Slams US of ‘Contradictory Stances’ Over Trade Levy Warning

Trump’s most recent threat to enforce an additional full import duty on items imported from China has been described as a “classic case” of American hypocrisy, according to the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that China could introduce its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the US President executes his threat, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a possible trade conflict.

This past Friday, Donald Trump responded at Beijing’s move to reinforce its regulations for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, charging Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

Furthermore, he vowed to pull out of a planned talks with China’s President President Xi, which was arranged for a meeting in Seoul in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on Friday rattled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index falling by nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since April.

These statements revived concerns of a trade war between the United States and China.

Earlier this year, the two sides had reached an agreement to drop 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 facing an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering China are subject to a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of official answers to journalist’s questions – echoed rhetoric from the zenith of the latest commercial tensions.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on electronic components while supporting the country’s own restrictions on exports on key elements as “normal actions” to protect state interests and that of all nations.

The spokesperson stated that for “many years”, the United States had “broadened the definition” of state security, exploited overseas sale restrictions and “adopted discriminatory practices against China.

“Turning to” import duty warnings is not the right way to interact with the Chinese government,” the official commented.

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

The previous week, the Chinese government declared it was strengthening overseas sale regulations on rare earths and other materials critical for advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the state handles about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are used in items such as solar panels and mobile phones.

Latest statements from both governments are being interpreted by some as a method of enhancing bargaining power prior to future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a meeting between the former president and President Xi, planned at a summit in Seoul later this month, will take place as planned.