Donald Trump has described China as “hostile” as the trade fight between the two countries gets more serious. After Trump said he plans to put a 100% tax on Chinese imports, China responded with a strong warning to the United States.
The Chinese Ministry of Commerce sharply criticized Trump and his administration, calling them hypocritical. This came after Trump once again created tension with Beijing by threatening to raise tariffs on Chinese goods and adding new limits on China’s ability to export important software. China said this was a clear example of America using “double standards.”
Trump’s new plan would double the import taxes on goods from China and add export restrictions starting November 1. He also hinted that he might cancel a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at an upcoming Asia-Pacific summit in South Korea. The timing of these new restrictions — just two days after the planned meeting — seems intentional. Trump told reporters that he chose the date on purpose, saying he hasn’t canceled the meeting yet but isn’t sure it will happen.
In response, China warned that it will take strong action to protect its interests. Officials said they are preparing “countermeasures,” including new port fees on ships built or run by American companies. China described this as a “defensive move” against U.S. policies that they say have hurt Chinese trade. The Ministry also accused Washington of stepping up economic pressure since September and told Trump to stop making threats.
China’s message was clear: it doesn’t want a trade war, but it won’t back down from one either.
Trump, meanwhile, continues to accuse China of being “hostile” and of making money from illegal fentanyl trade. The U.S. currently has a 30% tariff on Chinese goods, while China has a 10% tariff on U.S. products.
A major reason the trade conflict is heating up is the fight over rare earth minerals — valuable resources used in smartphones, electric cars, renewable energy technology, and military equipment. China controls most of the world’s supply of these materials. Recently, Beijing restricted exports of the technology needed to mine and process them, which alarmed the U.S.
Trump said China was being “very hostile” by trying to control access to these materials and claimed they should not be allowed to “hold the world hostage.” China’s government wants Trump to drop his threat of new tariffs, but it’s still unclear whether the two leaders will meet as planned.
