Beijing Slams America of ‘Contradictory Stances’ Over Import Duty Ultimatum

The former US president’s most recent threat to introduce an further full import duty on products from China has been described as a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that Beijing could introduce its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the American leader follows through on his pledge, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a looming trade war.

This past Friday, Trump hit back at Beijing’s move to strengthen its rules for exports of rare earths, alleging China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

He also vowed to withdraw from a planned summit with China’s President President Xi, which was expected to take place during a summit in South Korea later this month.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday unsettled financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index dropping over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

His comments revived apprehensions of a trade conflict between the US and China.

This past spring, the two sides had agreed to remove triple-digit tariffs on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

As a result, American import duties on Chinese goods facing an added import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering China incur a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of written responses to press queries – echoed terminology from the zenith of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while supporting Beijing’s export controls on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to safeguard state interests and that of every country.

Their representative said that for “many years”, the America had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, exploited export control measures and “adopted unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the right way to engage with Beijing,” the official stated.

“The nation’s view” on a tariff war has always been steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

Recently, the Chinese government revealed it was strengthening export controls on rare earths and other materials vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the nation handles about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are used in goods such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

New remarks from the US and China are being interpreted by analysts as a means of strengthening positions in preparation for future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a talks between Donald Trump and President Xi, scheduled at a high-level meeting in Seoul in the coming weeks, will still proceed.