China on Sunday accused Washington of “double standards” after US President Donald Trump announced additional 100% tariffs on the world’s second-largest economy.
“The US statement in question is a typical example of ‘double standards’,” a Commerce Ministry spokesperson said in a statement. “Should the US persist on its course, China will take resolute measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests,” the statement said.
This comes in response to Trump’s threat of new 100% tariffs on Chinese goods starting November 1, in addition to the existing 30% tariffs, and export controls on all critical software.
Trump said in a post on his Truth social platform that he had learned that China “has taken an exceptionally aggressive stance on trade by sending an extremely hostile letter to the world.”
It came a day after Beijing imposed new export limits on rare earth minerals, of which China is the world’s biggest supplier and which are crucial for technological production.
The new U.S. tariffs threatening to stymie trade were introduced shortly after Trump took office earlier this year, with the two countries exchanging increasingly high tariffs that were later halted after several rounds of negotiations.
China defends rare earth control measures
Beijing justified its position, saying that China’s rare earth control measures announced on October 9 are necessary given the military applications of medium and heavy rare earth metals and “the current turbulent global situation and frequent military conflicts”.
China has long used rare earths – minerals essential for electronic, automotive and defense systems – as a strategic advantage against the US.
It said it had informed relevant countries and regions before announcing the measures.
The commerce ministry statement assured global tech companies and stakeholders that the export measures will have “extremely limited impact” on production and supply chains.
China said it is willing to strengthen dialogue and exchanges on export controls to further safeguard supply chains.
Talking about its relations with the US, Beijing accused Washington of continuously imposing new sanctions against China since trade talks in Madrid.
It said China’s position on tariff wars has been consistent.
“We don’t want to fight, but we are not afraid to fight,” the Commerce Ministry said.
Edited by: Rana Taha
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