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Trump’s most recent warning to impose an further complete levy on Chinese goods has been called a “prime illustration” of American hypocrisy, according to the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that China could enact its own unrevealed “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant follows through on his threat, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a possible trade conflict.

Last Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at China’s decision to reinforce its policies for exports of rare earths, charging China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

Furthermore, he warned to cancel a scheduled meeting with China’s President Xi, which was arranged for a summit in South Korea later this month.

The former president’s remarks on Friday shook global markets, with the benchmark US stock index dropping over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

These statements revived fears of a commercial dispute between the two economic giants.

This past spring, the respective governments had consented to drop high import duties on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the two nations.

As a result, American import duties on Chinese imports incurring an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering China incur a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the Ministry of Commerce in the format of written responses to journalist’s questions – echoed terminology from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned United States controls on electronic components while justifying Beijing’s restrictions on exports on rare earth minerals as “normal actions” to protect domestic safety and that of the global community.

The spokesperson remarked that for “many years”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of national security, abused export control measures and “adopted biased policies against Beijing.

“Using” trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to deal with the Chinese government,” the official commented.

“China’s position on a tariff war has always been consistent: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Last week, the Chinese government announced it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earths and additional substances vital for cutting-edge industry.

This was seen as a important measure, as the nation refines about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in items such as solar panels and handheld devices.

Latest statements from both governments are being viewed by observers as a method of enhancing bargaining power ahead of forthcoming discussions.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between Trump and Xi Jinping, expected at a conference in Seoul later this month, will take place as planned.