Chinese Government Condemns US of ‘Double Standards’ Over Import Duty Ultimatum

Donald Trump’s newest threat to enforce an additional full import duty on items imported from China has been labeled a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the Chinese government.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that the nation could introduce its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the White House occupant carries out his pledge, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a looming commercial battle.

On Friday, Trump retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its regulations for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, accusing China of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “hostage”.

Additionally, he vowed to cancel a scheduled talks with China’s President Xi, which was expected to take place during a conference in Seoul later this month.

His statements on that day unsettled stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index dropping nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since April.

These statements reignited concerns of a commercial dispute between the two economic giants.

In May, the respective governments had consented to remove triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

This left, US tariffs on products from China subject to an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering the country incur a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of written responses to media inquiries – mirrored terminology from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned United States controls on semiconductors and chips while defending China’s own export controls on rare earths as “normal actions” to protect national security and that of the global community.

The spokesperson stated that for “an extended period”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of national security, misused overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” discriminatory practices against China.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the right way to engage with Beijing,” the spokesperson commented.

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has remained consistent: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government declared it was tightening overseas sale regulations on key elements and additional substances critical for high-technology production.

This was seen as a important measure, as the state refines about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are utilized in products such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being seen by observers as a means of strengthening positions prior to future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a talks between the former president and President Xi, expected at a high-level meeting in Seoul in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.