China did not back down Monday in the escalating trade conflict with the United States, calling for President Donald Trump to withdraw his latest threat of a 100% tariff and other export control measures announced over the weekend.

The warning comes amid a continued escalation of the trade war between the two nations. Trump announced the tariff threat on all Chinese imports into the U.S. following China’s decision on Thursday to impose stricter restrictions on rare earths, a crucial resource used in electronics and high-tech industries.

Trump Calls China’s Move a Surprise

The Chinese announcement appeared to catch Trump off guard, prompting him to describe it as “out of the blue.” While he did not retract the tariff threat, Trump’s tone was somewhat more conciliatory than in past statements. On Truth Social Sunday, he posted, “The U.S.A. wants to help China, not hurt it!!!”

China’s Official Response

In response, China’s Ministry of Commerce issued a lengthy statement Sunday, claiming that U.S. actions were “severely damaging the atmosphere of trade negotiations.” On Monday, Foreign Affairs spokesman Lin Jian said, “China urges the U.S. 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.”

A Trade War Across Multiple Fronts

Both countries have used a variety of economic tools in this ongoing conflict. The United States has implemented restrictions on China’s ability to import advanced computer chips, while China has responded by halting purchases of American soybeans and imposing reciprocal port fees.

Economic Impact

Economic indicators suggest that these retaliatory measures and the uncertainty they create are affecting trade between the two nations. Chinese trade data released Monday showed that exports to the U.S. have fallen for six consecutive months, dropping 27% in September compared to the same month last year.

The ongoing back-and-forth highlights the complexity and high stakes of the trade relationship between the world’s two largest economies, with both sides leveraging multiple dimensions of trade policy to protect national interests.