China Accuses United States of ‘Contradictory Stances’ Over Tariff Threat

The former US president’s latest threat to introduce an extra complete levy on products from China has been labeled a “prime illustration” of American hypocrisy, according to the China’s leadership.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that the nation could enact its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the White House occupant carries out his warning, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a potential trade conflict.

This past Friday, Donald Trump responded at Beijing’s move to strengthen its regulations for overseas sales of critical elements, alleging the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

Additionally, he warned to withdraw from a planned talks with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a meeting in South Korea in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on last Friday unsettled financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index closing down over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

His comments revived apprehensions of a trade war between the two economic giants.

In May, the respective governments had consented to remove high import duties on each other’s goods, which had led to concerns of trade halting between the two countries.

Consequently, United States levies on Chinese imports subject to an added thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering China face a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of formal replies to media inquiries – mirrored language from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on electronic components while defending Beijing’s restrictions on exports on key elements as “normal actions” to ensure domestic safety and that of the global community.

Their representative said that for “many years”, the US had “broadened the definition” of national security, abused overseas sale restrictions and “enforced” biased policies against China.

“Turning to” trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to deal with China,” the official commented.

“The nation’s view” on a tariff war has remained consistent: we do not want one, but we are fearless of one.”

Last week, Beijing announced it was reinforcing export controls on rare earths and additional substances essential to cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the nation refines about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are used in products such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by some as a method of strengthening positions in preparation for upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a talks between the former president and Xi Jinping, planned at a conference in South Korea later this month, will take place as planned.