BANGKOK — China on Monday showed no sign of backing down in its escalating trade dispute with the United States, calling on Washington to withdraw President Donald Trump’s latest threat of sweeping tariffs and export restrictions.
The standoff intensified over the weekend after Trump announced plans to impose a 100% tariff on all Chinese imports and introduce new export control measures. The move followed Beijing’s decision last Thursday to tighten restrictions on rare earth exports, key materials used in electronics and clean energy technologies.
The Chinese announcement reportedly caught Trump off guard, prompting him to describe it as an “out of the blue” decision. Despite the strong rhetoric, the U.S. president struck a slightly more conciliatory tone in a Truth Social post on Sunday, writing: “The U.S.A. wants to help China, not hurt it!!!”
In a statement released late Sunday, China’s Ministry of Commerce accused Washington of “severely damaging the atmosphere of trade negotiations.” On Monday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian urged the United States to “promptly correct its erroneous practices.”
“If the U.S. insists on going its own way, China will certainly take resolute measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests,” Lin warned.
The exchange marks the latest flare-up in the long-running U.S.–China trade war, which has seen both sides use tariffs, export bans, and regulatory barriers as leverage. The United States has restricted China’s access to advanced semiconductor technology, while Beijing has retaliated by curbing imports of American agricultural goods and imposing new port fees on U.S. shipments.
Recent Chinese trade data released Monday indicate that the ongoing tensions are taking a toll. Exports to the United States have fallen for six consecutive months, plunging 27% in September compared with the same period last year.
Despite the mounting economic strain, neither side appears willing to compromise. As both governments dig in, analysts warn that the standoff could further disrupt global supply chains and deepen uncertainty in international markets.
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