China Accuses America of ‘Hypocritical Policies’ Concerning Trade Levy Warning

Donald Trump’s most recent ultimatum to introduce an extra full import duty on products from China has been called a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the Chinese government.

A representative of the ministry also stated that Beijing could introduce its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the US President executes his threat, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a possible commercial battle.

Last Friday, the former president hit back at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its rules for exports of critical elements, alleging China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

Furthermore, he vowed to cancel a arranged meeting with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was expected to take place during a conference in South Korea in the coming weeks.

The former president’s remarks on that day shook stock exchanges, 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 commercial dispute between the two economic giants.

In May, the two sides had agreed to remove high import duties on each other’s products, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

Consequently, American import duties on Chinese imports subject to an extra 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering China face a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the relevant government department in the format of official answers to media inquiries – echoed terminology from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised United States controls on electronic components while supporting the country’s own export controls on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to ensure state interests and that of every country.

The official said that for “an extended period”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, misused overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” biased policies against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the correct approach to interact with Beijing,” their representative stated.

“China’s position on a tariff war has consistently been unchanging: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government declared it was tightening export controls on rare earth minerals and further resources essential to high-technology production.

This was seen as a important measure, as the state handles about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are used in goods such as solar panels and mobile phones.

The recent comments from Washington and Beijing are being interpreted by some as a strategy of strengthening positions ahead of forthcoming discussions.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between the former president and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a summit in South Korea in the coming weeks, will go ahead.