China vows to stand firm against Trump's 100% tariff threat
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Beijing (AP): China signalled Sunday that it would not back down in the face of a 100 per cent tariff threat from President Donald Trump, urging the US to resolve differences through negotiations instead of threats.
“China's stance is consistent,” the Commerce Ministry said in a statement posted online. “We do not want a tariff war but we are not afraid of one.”
The response came two days after Trump threatened to jack up the tax on imports from China by November 1 in response to new Chinese restrictions on the export of rare earths, a key ingredient for many consumer and military products.
The back and forth threatens to derail a possible meeting between Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping and end a truce in a tariff war in which new tariffs from both sides briefly topped 100 per cent in April.
Trump has raised taxes on imports from many US trading partners this year, seeking to win concessions in return for tariff reductions. China has been one of the few countries that hasn't backed down, relying on its economic clout.
“Frequently resorting to the threat of high tariffs is not the correct way to get along with China,” the Commerce Ministry said in its online post, which was presented as a series of answers from an unnamed spokesperson to questions from unspecified media outlets.
The statement called for addressing any concerns through dialogue.
“If the US side obstinately insists on its practice, China will be sure to resolutely take corresponding measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests,” the post said.
Both sides accuse the other of violating the spirit of the truce by imposing new restrictions on trade.
Trump said China is “becoming very hostile” and that it's holding the world captive by restricting access to rare earth metals and magnets.
China's new regulations require foreign companies to get special approval to export items that contain even small traces of rare earths elements sourced from China.
These critical minerals are needed in a broad range of products, from jet engines, radar systems and electric vehicles to consumer electronics including laptops and phones.
China accounts for nearly 70 per cent of the world's rare earths mining and controls roughly 90 per cent of global rare earths processing. Access to the material is a key point of contention in trade talks between Washington and Beijing.
The ministry post said that export licenses would be granted for legitimate civilian uses, noting that the minerals also have military applications.
The Chinese Commerce Ministry post said that the US has introduced several new restrictions in recent weeks, including expanding the number of Chinese companies subject to US export controls.
It also said that the US is ignoring Chinese concerns by going forward with new port fees on Chinese ships that take effect Tuesday. China announced Friday that it would impose port fees on American ships in response.
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India win 3rd ODI by 9 wickets, clinch ODI series 2-1 against South Africa
Visakhapatnam (PTI): A maiden century for Yashasvi Jaiswal and crucial fifties from Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli gave India a nine-wicket win in the third ODI, that sealed the hosts a 2-1 series triumph over South Africa, here on Saturday.
Chasing 271, India overhauled the target with 10.1 overs and nine wickets to spare.
Rohit Sharma scored 75 off 73 balls with seven fours and three sixes, while Kohli finished the formalities with a four to reach 65 not out off 45 balls with six fours and three sixes.
Jaiswal scored an unbeaten 116 off 121 balls with 12 fours and two sixes.
Earlier, Prasidh Krishna and Kuldeep Yadav claimed four wickets each as India bowled out South Africa for 270 in 47.5 overs.
Brief Scores:
South Africa 270 in 47.5 overs (Quinton de Kock 106, Temba Bavuma 48; Prasidh Krishna 4/66, Kuldeep Yadav 4/41)
India 271/1 in 39.5 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal , Rohit Sharma 75, Virat Kohli 65 not out.
