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Trump’s latest ultimatum to introduce an further full import duty on items imported from China has been described as a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the China’s leadership.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that Beijing could introduce its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the US President follows through on his threat, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a possible trade conflict.

On Friday, Donald Trump hit back at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its regulations for foreign shipments of rare earths, charging Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “captive”.

Additionally, he vowed to withdraw from a arranged meeting with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was expected to take place during a summit in Seoul in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on last Friday shook financial markets, with the S&P 500 dropping 2.7%, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

His comments reignited fears of a commercial dispute between the US and China.

This past spring, the two sides had reached an agreement to drop significant levies on each other’s products, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

This left, United States levies on Chinese goods subject to an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering the country are subject to a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – released by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of written responses to media inquiries – echoed terminology from the zenith of the latest commercial tensions.

They criticised US export restrictions on chips and semi-conductors while supporting China’s own export controls on key elements as “normal actions” to ensure domestic safety and that of every country.

The spokesperson stated that for “many years”, the America had “overstretched the concept of national security, abused export control measures and “adopted unfair treatments against Beijing.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the correct approach to interact with China,” the spokesperson said.

“Beijing’s stance” on a trade conflict has consistently been consistent: we do not want one, but we are fearless of one.”

Recently, China revealed it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on rare earths and further resources vital for cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the nation refines about 90% of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in goods such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

New remarks from the US and China are being interpreted by analysts as a means of strengthening positions ahead of upcoming negotiations.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between the former president and Xi Jinping, expected at a summit in Seoul later this month, will go ahead.