China has warned Washington that discussions over trade will not progress if the US continues to use “pressure and intimidation”. The statement came after the US announced fresh 100 per cent tariffs on Chinese imports in response to Beijing’s curbs on rare earth magnet exports.
China firmly rejects the recent U.S. restrictions and sanctions on China, and will do what is necessary to protect its legitimate rights and interests.
Threatening high tariffs is not the right way to deal with China. The U.S. should correct its approach and act on the common… pic.twitter.com/bzutPFCCcR
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— CHINA MFA Spokesperson 中国外交部发言人 (@MFA_China) October 13, 2025
In a statement on Tuesday, Ocotber 14, China’s Ministry of Commerce said it had “lodged strong representations” with the US, urging it to correct its “wrong and unfair practices”. It said any dialogue must be conducted “on the basis of equality and mutual respect”, not coercion.
The ministry called on Washington to “bring seriousness” to the process, suggesting that the latest tariff threat had undermined the environment for constructive talks.
Despite the tensions, both countries have maintained lower-level communication. Officials from China and the US held working-level consultations on Monday under their existing trade consultation mechanism.
The ministry confirmed that technical discussions would continue, describing them as “routine and professional exchanges”, not high-level negotiations. This indicates that while Beijing is resisting political talks under duress, it has not closed all channels of dialogue.
Rare earth curbs at centre of dispute
The latest row follows China’s decision to tighten controls over exports of rare earth magnets – materials vital for electric vehicles, renewable energy, and defence production. The US responded by imposing 100 per cent tariffs on select Chinese goods, escalating tensions between the two economies.
Beijing defended the move as a legitimate measure to safeguard national security and industrial sustainability, while Washington labelled it an unfair restriction. The US has long accused China of weaponising its dominance in rare earth production to gain leverage in global supply chains.
Both sides have insisted that they remain open to dialogue, but under sharply different conditions. China has made it clear that it will not engage in talks “under threat”, while the US says it is prepared to continue discussions “to protect American interests”.
