China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) has issued a response to President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 100% tariff on Chinese goods, calling the decision “a textbook double standard” and warning that Beijing will take “resolute measures” to defend its interests if Washington continues escalating trade tensions.
The reaction came just two days after the US administration announced new tariffs and export controls on Chinese products, including critical software, in response to Beijing’s move to impose export controls on rare earth elements.
These are key materials in advanced manufacturing and defense technologies.
In a press statement posted on October 12, MOFCOM said China’s export controls on rare earths were “a legitimate action” aimed at strengthening oversight of sensitive materials, not a trade retaliation measure.
“China’s export controls are not export bans,” the statement read. “Licenses will be granted for eligible applications.”
China’s Response to US Tariffs
Beijing explained that its move was consistent with international law and designed to “defend world peace and regional stability” amid growing global military tensions.
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The ministry said it had informed other nations through bilateral export control dialogue mechanisms before implementing the restrictions.
“The US remarks reflect textbook ‘double standard,’” the spokesperson said, accusing Washington of “abusing export control” and “overstretching the concept of national security.”
“For a long time, the US has taken discriminatory actions against China and imposed unilateral long-arm jurisdiction measures,” MOFCOM said, pointing out that the US Commerce Control List covers over 3,000 items compared to China’s 900.
“These U.S. measures have seriously harmed the legitimate rights of companies and undermined the stability of global supply chains.”
China-US Talks
MOFCOM also criticized Washington’s rapid escalation since the China-US trade talks in Madrid last month.
In just 20 days, the US has added multiple Chinese entities to its “Entity List,” expanded controls under its “Affiliates Rule,” and reactivated Section 301 tariffs on China’s maritime and logistics industries.
“Willful threats of high tariffs are not the right way to get along with China,” the ministry warned. “China does not want a trade war, but it is not afraid of one.”
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The ministry urged Washington to promptly correct its wrong practices, honor agreements made in recent high-level calls between Presidents Trump and Xi Jinping, and manage differences “through dialogue and mutual respect.”
Special Port Fee
China also confirmed it will impose special port fees on US-linked vessels starting October 14 as a countermeasure to new American levies on Chinese ships.
Beijing called the US decision “a typical act of unilateralism” that violates World Trade Organization rules and the spirit of the China-US Maritime Transport Agreement.
“China’s countermeasures are necessary acts of passive defense,” the statement said, adding that they aim to “maintain a level playing field in global shipping and shipbuilding markets.”
While both sides claim to favor dialogue, the latest escalation signals a deepening fracture in US-China economic relations.
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