Subhechcha Ganguly 
Beijing has accused Washington of applying “double standards” following US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a new 100% tariff on Chinese goods. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce on Sunday condemned the move, calling it “a typical example of double standards” and urging the US to “correct its wrong practices.”
Trump, on Friday, said the additional tariffs—set to take effect on November 1—were in response to China’s “extraordinarily aggressive” export restrictions on rare-earth minerals. The US President also hinted at possibly canceling his upcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, citing mounting trade tensions.
China, defending its export controls as “legitimate,” said it was open to dialogue to ensure stability in global industrial and supply chains. “Threatening high tariffs at every turn is not the right approach to engaging with China,” the commerce ministry stated, adding that Beijing “does not want a trade war, but is not afraid of one.”
Beijing accused Washington of intensifying economic pressure since September, saying such actions have “seriously undermined” the atmosphere for trade talks. It warned that if the US continues on this path, China “will take resolute measures to protect its legitimate rights and interests.”
Currently, the US imposes a 30% tariff on Chinese goods, while China retaliates with 10% duties on American products. Trump’s new measures, which also include export controls on “critical software,” are expected to further escalate the trade standoff between the two largest economies.
