Donald Trump’s 100% tariff on China: Beijing seeks fresh trade talks with US; wants discussions ‘as soon as possible’
The decision followed a video call between Beijing’s chief negotiator, Vice Premier He Lifeng, and US treasury secretary Scott Bessent.
State news agency Xinhua, on Saturday, described the discussion as involving “candid, in-depth and constructive exchanges.”Tensions between the US and China escalated after Trump announced plans to impose an additional 100% tariff on Chinese goods from November 1, following China’s restrictions on rare earth mineral exports.With the additional tariffs, Chinese imports to the country now face a total of 130% duty.
Washington’s move was in repoonse to China’s restriction on its rare earth exports. “Based on the fact that China has taken this unprecedented position…
the United States of America will impose a Tariff of 100% on China, over and above any Tariff that they are currently paying,” Trump said on Truth Social. He had previously criticised China’s move as “very hostile” and condemned letters sent by Beijing to countries worldwide outlining controls on “each and every element of production having to do with Rare Earths.” In response, Beijing warned that it would retaliate if the US goes ahead with the tariff threat, with global investors bracing for fresh turbulence in trade relations between the world’s two largest economies.
China’s commerce ministry further accused the US of escalating tensions with the new tariffs and additional restrictions on critical software. “Wilful threats of high tariffs are not the right way to get along with China,” a spokesperson for the commerce ministry said on Sunday, according to state news agency Xinhua.
“China’s position on the trade war is consistent.
We do not want it, but we are not afraid of it.”Meanwhile, a potential meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping remains on the table despite rising tensions.Earlier this week, US treasury secretary Scott Bessent said that he still expects the leaders to meet.
“He will be meeting with Party Chair Xi in Korea – I believe that meeting will still go ahead,” Bessent told Fox Business.
