Beijing Slams United States of ‘Hypocritical Policies’ Concerning Tariff Threat

Donald Trump’s latest warning to introduce an further full import duty on items imported from China has been called a “classic case” of American hypocrisy, per the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that the nation could enact its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant carries out his pledge, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a possible trade conflict.

This past Friday, Donald Trump responded at Beijing’s move to strengthen its regulations for overseas sales of rare earths, alleging China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “hostage”.

Furthermore, he threatened to pull out of a arranged talks with Chinese leader President Xi, which was expected to take place during a summit in the Republic of Korea later this month.

Trump’s comments on last Friday rattled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index closing down 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

The president’s words reignited concerns of a trade conflict between the United States and China.

This past spring, the two sides had agreed to remove high import duties on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the economic powers.

This left, United States levies on Chinese imports facing an added thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering the country face a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of written responses to media inquiries – mirrored terminology from the peak of the recent trade conflict.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while supporting Beijing’s export controls on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to safeguard domestic safety and that of all nations.

The spokesperson stated that for “many years”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “adopted biased policies against China.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the proper method to deal with Beijing,” the spokesperson commented.

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has remained unchanging: we are not seeking one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Recently, the Chinese government revealed it was tightening overseas sale regulations on key elements and further resources vital for high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the nation processes about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are utilized in products such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

New remarks from the US and China are being interpreted by some as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power prior to future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between the former president and China’s leader, planned at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will still proceed.