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Trump’s latest ultimatum to impose an further complete levy on products from China has been called a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that Beijing could implement its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the White House occupant carries out his threat, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a potential trade conflict.

On Friday, Donald Trump hit back at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its rules for exports of rare earths, charging Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “hostage”.

He also vowed to cancel a arranged meeting with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was expected to take place during a summit in Seoul before the month ends.

The former president’s remarks on that day unsettled stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index dropping nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

His comments renewed apprehensions of a commercial dispute between the US and China.

This past spring, the both nations had agreed to drop triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

This left, American import duties on Chinese imports subject to an added import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering China face a 10% tariff.

The most recent comments from China – released by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of formal replies to media inquiries – mirrored terminology from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while justifying Beijing’s export controls on key elements as “routine measures” to protect state interests and that of every country.

Their representative said that for “many years”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, abused export control measures and “implemented” biased policies against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the correct approach to engage with China,” the official stated.

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war has remained unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Last week, China declared it was tightening overseas sale regulations on key elements and other materials essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the country handles about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in products such as renewable energy components and mobile phones.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being seen by some as a means of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of upcoming negotiations.

It is unclear whether a talks between the former president and China’s leader, planned at a conference in South Korea later this month, will go ahead.