Chinese Government Condemns America of ‘Double Standards’ Regarding Import Duty Ultimatum

The former US president’s newest warning to enforce an further 100% tariff on products 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 additionally remarked that China could enact its own unrevealed “responsive actions” if the US President executes his threat, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a potential trade war.

This past Friday, the former president responded at China’s decision to tighten its rules for overseas sales of critical elements, accusing Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

He also threatened to cancel a planned summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was set for a summit in Seoul later this month.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday rattled global markets, with the S&P 500 falling by nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since last spring.

His comments reignited concerns of a trade conflict between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the respective governments had consented to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the two countries.

This left, United States levies on products from China incurring an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market incur a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the Commerce Ministry in the format of written responses to press queries – mirrored terminology from the peak of the recent trade conflict.

They criticised US export restrictions on chips and semi-conductors while supporting Beijing’s export controls on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to ensure domestic safety and that of the global community.

The spokesperson said that for “an extended period”, the America had “broadened the definition” of domestic safety, abused export control measures and “adopted biased policies against Beijing.

“Using” tariff threats is not the right way to deal with the Chinese government,” the spokesperson commented.

“The nation’s view” on a trade conflict has always been steady: we are not seeking one, but we are fearless of one.”

The previous week, China revealed it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and other materials vital for high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a significant step, as the nation handles about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in items such as solar panels and smartphones.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being seen by observers as a method of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a meeting between Donald Trump and President Xi, planned at a high-level meeting in Seoul before month’s end, will still proceed.