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

"China 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."

"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."

"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. 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 processing of critical minerals."

China defended recently introduced export controls on rare earth elements and related equipment as a response to a series of US measures. The Ministry of Commerce described those controls as justified reactions to actions taken since bilateral trade talks in Madrid. The US announced a 100 percent tariff on Chinese exports and new export controls on critical software, effective November 1. Beijing cited US blacklisting of firms and port fees on China-linked ships as provocative actions and accused the US of double standards. China has not imposed immediate retaliatory tariffs but said it will not be intimidated and urged negotiations to resolve differences.

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