China on Sunday accused the United States of hypocrisy after President Donald Trump announced plans to impose a 100 percent tariff on all Chinese imports starting November 1.
“The relevant US statement is a typical example of ‘double standards’,” an unnamed Ministry of Commerce spokesperson said in a statement published online.
Trump had announced the new levies on Friday, saying they were a response to what he described as China’s “extraordinarily aggressive” export restrictions on rare-earth minerals — key materials used in electronics and defense manufacturing. He also warned that he might cancel a scheduled meeting with President Xi Jinping later this month.
Beijing, in its response, accused Washington of escalating economic tensions since September and undermining the spirit of ongoing trade talks.
“These actions have severely harmed China’s interests and seriously undermined the atmosphere of the economic and trade talks between the two sides,” the commerce ministry said. “Threatening high tariffs at every turn is not the right approach to engaging with China.”
On the streets of Beijing, many residents reacted with calm and even mockery when asked by AFP about Trump’s latest move.
“I felt nothing when I first saw the news,” said Liu Ming, a 48-year-old software worker outside a shopping mall. “Trump always has these childlike or capricious policies. China isn’t afraid of any US sanctions or policies aimed at limiting us. We have the confidence and ability to do better ourselves.”
Others shared a similar view, describing Trump as unpredictable.
Liu added, “From the perspective of a Chinese person, he is a bit unreliable. He always goes from this policy to that policy, causing great commotion in the world. It is not stable.”
Irene Wang, an insurance worker in her thirties, joked about the US president’s volatility.
“He says one thing today, but maybe after a nap he’ll change his mind again. At his age, he should be a little more composed!” she said.
Wang noted that while the tariffs might raise prices for Americans, the direct impact on Chinese consumers could be limited.
“For Americans, it could have an impact. For us, we’ll just have to wait and see how things play out.”
Another resident, Jessica Yu, said the tariffs might affect businesses more than individuals.
“The import-export sector will inevitably be affected to some extent,” she said. “But for ordinary people in China, in the immediate future, I don’t think much will change in their daily lives.”
The new tariff threat adds to growing strain in US-China trade relations, which have fluctuated under Trump’s presidency amid disputes over technology, supply chains, and national security.