🔗 Share this article China Accuses US of ‘Double Standards’ Regarding Trade Levy Warning Donald Trump’s newest warning to enforce an additional full import duty on Chinese goods has been described as a “typical example” of US double standards, as stated by the Beijing administration. A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that the nation could enact its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the US President follows through on his warning, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a possible commercial battle. Last Friday, Donald Trump responded at Beijing’s move to strengthen its policies for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, charging Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”. Furthermore, he vowed to withdraw from a scheduled summit with China’s President Xi, which was arranged for a meeting in Seoul before the month ends. Trump’s comments on that day shook stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index closing down nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since last spring. These statements reignited fears of a commercial dispute between the two economic giants. Earlier this year, the both nations had consented to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of commerce ceasing between the two nations. As a result, American import duties on Chinese imports incurring an extra 30% levy compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering China face a ten percent duty. China’s latest remarks – published by the relevant government department in the form of formal replies to media inquiries – reflected terminology from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute. The remarks condemned American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while justifying Beijing’s export controls on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to protect national security and that of every country. Their representative said that for “many years”, the America had “overstretched the concept of national security, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” unfair treatments against the Chinese nation. “Using” trade levy ultimatums is not the correct approach to interact with Beijing,” the official stated. “China’s position on a tariff war has consistently been unchanging: we are not seeking one, but we are unafraid of one.” The previous week, China revealed it was strengthening export controls on rare earths and other materials essential to advanced tech manufacturing. This move was regarded as a significant step, as the country processes about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are employed in products such as renewable energy components and smartphones. New remarks from the US and China are being interpreted by observers as a method of enhancing bargaining power ahead of upcoming negotiations. Is not yet known whether a meeting between the former president and Xi Jinping, expected at a summit in South Korea before month’s end, will go ahead.