China Accuses US of ‘Double Standards’ Regarding Tariff Threat

Trump’s newest warning to introduce an additional full import duty on items imported from China has been labeled a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that Beijing could introduce its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the US President follows through on his threat, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a potential commercial battle.

Last Friday, Donald Trump responded at China’s decision to tighten its policies for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, alleging Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

Furthermore, he threatened to pull out of a arranged meeting with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was set for a conference in South Korea later this month.

The former president’s remarks on Friday unsettled financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index dropping over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

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

Earlier this year, the two sides had reached an agreement to drop significant levies on each other’s products, which had led to concerns of commerce ceasing between the two countries.

This left, United States levies on Chinese imports facing an added 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering the Chinese market are subject to a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of official answers to journalist’s questions – echoed language from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on electronic components while supporting the country’s own restrictions on exports on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to protect state interests and that of all nations.

Their representative said that for “many years”, the United States had “broadened the definition” of domestic safety, exploited export control measures and “implemented” unfair treatments against Beijing.

“Using” tariff threats is not the proper method to engage with China,” their representative stated.

“The nation’s view” on a tariff war has always been unchanging: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, Beijing revealed it was reinforcing export controls on rare earths and additional substances essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

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

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by observers as a strategy of strengthening positions in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a summit between Trump and China’s leader, planned at a conference in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will still proceed.