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The former US president’s most recent threat to impose an further complete levy on Chinese goods has been described as a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that the nation could implement its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the White House occupant executes his warning, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a looming trade war.

This past Friday, Trump hit back at China’s decision to reinforce its rules for overseas sales of critical elements, accusing China of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “hostage”.

He also threatened to withdraw from a planned summit with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a meeting in South Korea in the coming weeks.

His statements on Friday shook financial markets, with the S&P 500 falling by 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

These statements reignited apprehensions of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

In May, the both nations had agreed to eliminate high import duties on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the two nations.

This left, American import duties on products from China facing an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering the country incur a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the format of formal replies to media inquiries – reflected language from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned United States controls on electronic components while supporting Beijing’s restrictions on exports on key elements as “standard procedures” to ensure state interests and that of all nations.

The spokesperson stated that for “an extended period”, the United States had “broadened the definition” of state security, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” biased policies against Beijing.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to deal with China,” the official stated.

“The nation’s view” on a tariff war has always been unchanging: we are not seeking one, but we are fearless of one.”

The previous week, Beijing revealed it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on rare earths and other materials essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the country handles about 90% of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in products such as solar panels and smartphones.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being interpreted by analysts as a method of strengthening positions prior to future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a summit between the former president and China’s leader, scheduled at a conference in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will take place as planned.