Chinese Government Condemns US of ‘Hypocritical Policies’ Over Tariff Threat

The former US president’s newest threat to enforce an additional full import duty on Chinese goods has been described as a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry further commented that the nation could implement its own unrevealed “retaliatory steps” if the American leader follows through on his warning, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a potential trade war.

Last Friday, Trump hit back at China’s decision to reinforce its policies for overseas sales of rare earths, charging China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

Additionally, he vowed to pull out of a scheduled summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was arranged for a meeting in Seoul later this month.

His statements on that day unsettled stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index closing down nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

His comments reignited apprehensions of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

In May, the respective governments had agreed to remove high import duties on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

This left, United States levies on Chinese imports incurring an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market are subject to a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the relevant government department in the manner of official answers to press queries – mirrored terminology from the zenith of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced US export restrictions on chips and semi-conductors while justifying the country’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “normal actions” to protect state interests and that of all nations.

The official remarked that for “many years”, the United States had “broadened the definition” of state security, misused export control measures and “implemented” biased policies against Beijing.

“Using” tariff threats is not the proper method to deal with China,” the spokesperson said.

“The nation’s view” on a tariff war has consistently been consistent: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government revealed it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on key elements and other materials critical for high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the nation refines about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are used in goods such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

The recent comments from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by observers as a means of enhancing bargaining power in preparation for future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a talks between the former president and President Xi, planned at a summit in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will go ahead.