China criticizes Trump’s 100% tariff threat and defends export controls on rare earths

China slammed President Donald Trump’s new tariffs on Chinese goods as hypocritical, while defending its restrictions on rare earth elements and equipment exports, but did not impose additional tariffs on US imports. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce said in a lengthy statement on Sunday that the export controls on rare earths were a response to a series of measures taken by the US since the trade negotiations in Madrid last month. Earlier, Trump had described these controls as ‘surprising’ and ‘hostile’. The statement also criticized the US for escalating the trade dispute, highlighting Trump’s threat to impose 100% tariffs on China.