Beijing Slams US of ‘Hypocritical Policies’ Concerning Tariff Threat

Trump’s most recent ultimatum to enforce an additional 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been described as a “classic case” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that China could implement its own unrevealed “countermeasures” if the White House occupant executes his threat, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a looming commercial battle.

Last Friday, Trump hit back at China’s decision to strengthen its policies for overseas sales of critical elements, accusing the Chinese leadership of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

Additionally, he vowed to cancel a arranged talks with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a conference in Seoul in the coming weeks.

The former president’s remarks on Friday shook global markets, with the S&P 500 share index closing down over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since April.

His comments revived concerns of a trade war between the two economic giants.

Earlier this year, the two sides had reached an agreement to eliminate significant levies on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

Consequently, American import duties on Chinese imports incurring an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while US goods entering the Chinese market incur a import levy.

The most recent comments from China – published by the relevant government department in the format of formal replies to press queries – reflected terminology from the zenith of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while justifying China’s own overseas sale regulations on key elements as “routine measures” to safeguard state interests and that of every country.

The spokesperson remarked that for “an extended period”, the America had “overstretched the concept of national security, abused export control measures and “adopted biased policies against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the correct approach to deal with Beijing,” the spokesperson stated.

“China’s position on a trade conflict has consistently been consistent: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Last week, China revealed it was reinforcing export controls on rare earth minerals and further resources vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the country processes about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in products such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

The recent comments from the US and China are being interpreted by some as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power prior to upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between the former president and China’s leader, scheduled at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea later this month, will go ahead.