China Accuses America of ‘Contradictory Stances’ Regarding Import Duty Ultimatum

Trump’s newest threat to impose an extra full import duty on products from China has been labeled a “classic case” of American hypocrisy, according to the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that China could implement its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the White House occupant carries out his warning, adding that the country was “fearless” of a potential trade conflict.

This past Friday, the former president hit back at Beijing’s move to tighten its policies for foreign shipments of rare earths, charging the Chinese leadership of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

Additionally, he threatened to withdraw from a scheduled meeting with China’s President Xi, which was arranged for a summit in Seoul in the coming weeks.

His statements on last Friday shook stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index dropping over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

These statements reignited apprehensions of a trade war between the US and China.

In May, the both nations had consented to eliminate high import duties on each other’s products, which had led to concerns of trade halting between the two nations.

Consequently, United States levies on products from China incurring an additional 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the country incur a import levy.

The most recent comments from China – issued by the relevant government department in the manner of official answers to press queries – echoed language from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on chips and semi-conductors while defending China’s own export controls on rare earths as “routine measures” to ensure state interests and that of all nations.

Their representative stated that for “an extended period”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of state security, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” unfair treatments against China.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the proper method to engage with Beijing,” the spokesperson said.

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war has remained consistent: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Last week, China announced it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on key elements and other materials vital for cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the country processes about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in products such as renewable energy components and mobile phones.

The recent comments from both governments are being interpreted by analysts as a method of strengthening positions ahead of upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between Donald Trump and China’s leader, expected at a high-level meeting in South Korea later this month, will go ahead.