China Accuses US of ‘Double Standards’ Over Trade Levy Warning

The former US president’s newest ultimatum to enforce an additional full import duty on products from China has been called a “typical example” of US double standards, per the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry also stated that China could enact its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the US President executes his pledge, noting that the country was “fearless” of a looming commercial battle.

Last Friday, Donald Trump hit back at China’s decision to strengthen its regulations for overseas sales of rare earths, charging Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “captive”.

Furthermore, he vowed to withdraw from a arranged talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a summit in South Korea later this month.

His statements on that day shook global markets, with the S&P 500 share index falling by over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

His comments revived apprehensions of a trade war between the United States and China.

Earlier this year, the respective governments had reached an agreement to drop triple-digit tariffs on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the economic powers.

This left, United States levies on products from China subject to an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while American products entering China incur a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – published by the Commerce Ministry in the format of written responses to media inquiries – reflected terminology from the zenith of the latest commercial tensions.

They criticised United States controls on electronic components while justifying the country’s own export controls on rare earths as “routine measures” to safeguard domestic safety and that of every country.

Their representative stated that for “a long time”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, misused overseas sale restrictions and “adopted biased policies against Beijing.

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

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war has remained consistent: we wish to avoid one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Recently, China revealed it was strengthening export controls on key elements and other materials vital for cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the nation processes about 90% of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in goods such as solar panels and handheld devices.

New remarks from the US and China are being interpreted by some as a means of bolstering negotiating stances in preparation for upcoming negotiations.

It is unclear whether a meeting between the former president and China’s leader, scheduled at a summit in South Korea before month’s end, will still proceed.