Beijing Slams United States of ‘Contradictory Stances’ Regarding Import Duty Ultimatum

The former US president’s newest warning to introduce an further full import duty on products from China has been described as a “classic case” of American hypocrisy, per the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry also stated that China could introduce its own unrevealed “responsive actions” if the US President executes his warning, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a looming trade war.

This past Friday, Donald Trump hit back at Beijing’s move to strengthen its rules for exports of rare earths, charging the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “hostage”.

He also vowed to pull out of a planned summit with China’s President President Xi, which was arranged for a summit in the Republic of Korea before the month ends.

The former president’s remarks on that day unsettled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index closing down over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since April.

These statements renewed fears of a trade war between the two economic giants.

Earlier this year, the both nations had consented to remove significant levies on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the two nations.

Consequently, American import duties on products from China facing an additional import tax compared with the start of the year, while US goods entering the Chinese market face a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – released by the Commerce Ministry in the form of official answers to press queries – mirrored language from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while supporting China’s own overseas sale regulations on key elements as “routine measures” to protect state interests and that of every country.

The official remarked that for “an extended period”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, exploited export control measures and “implemented” unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the correct approach to engage with China,” the spokesperson commented.

“China’s position on a trade conflict has remained steady: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Recently, the Chinese government revealed it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and further resources essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a significant step, as the state refines about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in products such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

New remarks from the US and China are being viewed by analysts as a means of strengthening positions ahead of forthcoming discussions.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a high-level meeting in South Korea later this month, will take place as planned.