U.S. President Donald J. Trump has issued a fiery statement accusing China of adopting an “extraordinarily hostile” trade stance by sending letters to countries worldwide announcing sweeping export controls on a wide range of products — including rare earth elements and other critical materials.
In a lengthy post on Truth Social, Trump described China’s action as “unheard of in international trade,” claiming that it would “clog markets” and “make life difficult for virtually every country in the world.” He said multiple nations had already contacted the U.S. expressing outrage over the sudden imposition of these restrictions.
“Nobody has ever seen anything like this. It would make the world captive to China’s monopoly on key materials,” Trump wrote. “I’ve always felt that they were lying in wait — and now, as usual, I’ve been proven right!”
Table of Contents
China’s Alleged Global Export Control Plan
According to Trump, the Chinese government has reportedly circulated detailed letters outlining its plan to impose export controls on every element related to rare earths and other strategic commodities. The move, he said, was part of a long-term plan to dominate critical global supply chains — particularly in magnets and high-tech materials used in defense, electronics, and clean energy sectors.
Trump described the plan as a “sinister and hostile monopoly move,” asserting that China had been “quietly amassing control” over essential elements for years.
“This was not a routine trade policy; it was a strategic ambush,” he alleged, calling the timing suspiciously aligned with global geopolitical developments, particularly the recent “peace in the Middle East.”
U.S. Countermeasures: Tariffs and Beyond
The former president vowed to respond with strong financial countermeasures, including a massive increase in tariffs on Chinese imports. He suggested that for every element China attempts to monopolize, the U.S. possesses alternatives and the capability to retaliate economically.
“For every element they have monopolized, we have two. It will be painful, but in the end, it will be good for the U.S.A.,” Trump asserted.
Trump said his team was already “calculating policies” to counter China’s export restrictions, indicating that tariffs could be just the first of many retaliatory steps. “Other countermeasures are under serious consideration,” he added.
No Talks with Xi Jinping at APEC
Trump revealed that he had been scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea during the APEC Summit in two weeks, but suggested there was now “no reason to do so” given the current situation.
He noted that the letters from Beijing were “especially inappropriate,” coming at a moment of relative calm in global affairs.
“This was the day that, after three thousand years of bedlam and fighting, there is peace in the Middle East,” Trump remarked, implying the timing of China’s move was deliberate.
Global Reactions and Economic Fallout
While no official response has yet come from Beijing, the alleged Chinese decision — if confirmed — could trigger a seismic shift in global trade, particularly in industries dependent on rare earths and other strategic materials.
Economic analysts have long warned that China’s dominance in rare earth production gives it immense leverage over advanced manufacturing and defense industries worldwide. If such export controls were implemented, it could disrupt supply chains for everything from electric vehicles and semiconductors to military hardware.
Trump’s warning of retaliatory tariffs marks a potential escalation of U.S.-China economic tensions, recalling the 2018–2019 trade war during his presidency, which had led to significant market volatility.
Conclusion
As the world awaits an official clarification from China, Trump’s declaration has already stirred global markets and reignited debate over trade dependence on Beijing. With his characteristic defiance, Trump closed his statement asserting that the U.S. holds stronger cards in the long run.
“I never thought it would come to this, but this may turn out to be a very good thing for the United States,” he said. “Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
Read More: US President Donald J. Trump announces 100% tariffs on China Apart From Existing Duties
