China slams Trump’s 100 percent tariff threat, defends rare earth curbs

by | Oct 12, 2025 | World

Beijing says it will not back down in the face of threats, urging the US to resolve differences through negotiations.Published On 12 Oct 202512 Oct 2025Click here to share on social mediashare2ShareChina has called United States President Donald Trump’s new tariffs on Chinese goods hypocritical as it defended its curbs on exports of rare earth elements and equipment, while stopping short of imposing additional duties on US imports.In a lengthy statement on Sunday, China’s Ministry of Commerce said its export controls on rare earths, which Trump had labelled “surprising” and “very hostile”, were introduced in response to a series of US measures since their trade talks held in Madrid, Spain, last month.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list“China’s stance is consistent,” the ministry said in a statement posted online. “We do not want a tariff war but we are not afraid of one.”Trump on Friday retaliated to the Chinese curbs on rare earth exports by announcing a 100 percent tariff on Chinese exports to the US and new export controls on critical software, effective from November 1.Beijing cited Washington’s decision to blacklist Chinese firms and impose port fees on China-linked ships as examples of what it called “provocative and damaging” actions, calling Trump’s tariff threat a “typical example of double standards”.“These actions have severely harmed China’s interests and undermined the atmosphere for bilateral economic and trade talks. China firmly opposes them,” the ministry said.Unlike earlier rounds of tit-for-tat tariffs, China has not yet announced any countermeasures.Rare earths have been a major sticking point in recent trade negotiations between the two superpowers. They are critical to manufacturing everything from smartphones and electric vehicles to military hardware and renewable energy technology. Advertisement China dominates the global production and processing of these materials. On Thursday, it announced new controls on the export of technologies used for the mining and processi …

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