Chinese Government Condemns America of ‘Double Standards’ Over Tariff Threat

Trump’s newest warning to impose an extra 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been called a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that Beijing could introduce its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the US President follows through on his threat, adding that the country was “unafraid” of a possible commercial battle.

Last Friday, Trump responded at Beijing’s move to strengthen its regulations for foreign shipments of critical elements, alleging the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “hostage”.

Furthermore, he threatened to withdraw from a scheduled summit with Chinese leader Xi, which was expected to take place during a summit in the Republic of Korea before the month ends.

His statements on last Friday unsettled stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index falling by nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

The president’s words renewed fears of a trade conflict between the two economic giants.

Earlier this year, the both nations had consented to remove high import duties on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

Consequently, US tariffs on products from China facing an added thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering the country face a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – published by the Commerce Ministry in the form of formal replies to journalist’s questions – mirrored rhetoric from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on chips and semi-conductors while justifying the country’s own export controls on rare earths as “standard procedures” to ensure domestic safety and that of the global community.

The official stated that for “an extended period”, the America had “broadened the definition” of state security, abused foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” biased policies against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the correct approach to deal with Beijing,” the official commented.

“Beijing’s stance” on a trade conflict has remained steady: we do not want one, but we are fearless of one.”

The previous week, China announced it was tightening overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and further resources essential to high-technology production.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the country processes about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are utilized in goods such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

New remarks from the US and China are being seen by some as a means of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a summit between Trump and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a summit in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.

Kathryn James
Kathryn James

A seasoned gaming analyst with over a decade of experience in online casino platforms and digital entertainment trends.