China Accuses America of ‘Hypocritical Policies’ Over Tariff Threat

The former US president’s newest threat to introduce an extra 100% tariff on products from China has been called a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that China could introduce its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the White House occupant carries out his threat, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a possible trade conflict.

This past Friday, Donald Trump responded at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its rules for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, charging China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “hostage”.

Additionally, he warned to withdraw from a scheduled talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a conference in Seoul in the coming weeks.

The former president’s remarks on Friday unsettled financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index dropping 2.7%, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

The president’s words renewed fears of a commercial dispute between the US and China.

In May, the respective governments had reached an agreement to remove significant levies on each other’s products, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the economic powers.

As a result, American import duties on Chinese goods subject to an extra import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the Chinese market face a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of official answers to press queries – echoed terminology from the height of the recent trade conflict.

Officials denounced US export restrictions on chips and semi-conductors while supporting Beijing’s overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to protect state interests and that of the global community.

The official stated that for “an extended period”, the US had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, misused overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” biased policies against Beijing.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the right way to interact with Beijing,” the spokesperson commented.

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

The previous week, Beijing revealed it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on key elements and other materials vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a significant step, as the country refines about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are utilized in items such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being seen by some as a method of enhancing bargaining power in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a summit between Trump and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea later this month, will go ahead.