China Accuses United States of ‘Contradictory Stances’ Regarding Import Duty Ultimatum

Trump’s latest threat to enforce an additional full import duty on Chinese goods has been described as a “prime illustration” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that the nation could enact its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the American leader follows through on his pledge, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a possible trade conflict.

Last Friday, Trump retaliated at Beijing’s move to strengthen its policies for foreign shipments of critical elements, alleging Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

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

Trump’s comments on that day unsettled financial markets, with the S&P 500 falling by nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

These statements renewed concerns of a trade war between the United States and China.

In May, the two sides had agreed to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

As a result, United States levies on Chinese goods facing an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while American products entering the Chinese market incur a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the relevant government department in the manner of written responses to journalist’s questions – reflected rhetoric from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

They criticised US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while justifying China’s own overseas sale regulations on key elements as “normal actions” to safeguard domestic safety and that of every country.

Their representative said that for “an extended period”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, abused foreign shipment regulations and “adopted biased policies against Beijing.

“Using” tariff threats is not the right way to deal with the Chinese government,” their representative commented.

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has always been unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Recently, Beijing announced it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earths and additional substances essential to high-technology production.

This was seen as a key move, as the country refines about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are utilized in products such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

The recent comments from Washington and Beijing are being seen by observers as a means of bolstering negotiating stances prior to future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a talks between the former president and Xi Jinping, planned at a high-level meeting in Seoul later this month, will go ahead.