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Trump’s most recent ultimatum to impose an further complete levy on items imported from China has been called a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that Beijing could enact its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the American leader executes his warning, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a potential commercial battle.

Last Friday, Donald Trump hit back at China’s decision to strengthen its regulations for foreign shipments of critical elements, charging Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

Additionally, he threatened to cancel a arranged meeting with Chinese leader President Xi, which was set for a summit in Seoul later this month.

The former president’s remarks on that day shook stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 falling by nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

The president’s words reignited apprehensions of a trade conflict between the two economic giants.

This past spring, the both nations had agreed to eliminate significant levies on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

Consequently, United States levies on Chinese goods incurring an added thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering China face a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – published by the Commerce Ministry in the form of formal replies to press queries – reflected rhetoric from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned United States controls on chips and semi-conductors while justifying China’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “normal actions” to ensure national security and that of every country.

The spokesperson remarked that for “many years”, the America had “broadened the definition” of national security, abused foreign shipment regulations and “adopted biased policies against the Chinese nation.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the correct approach to interact with the Chinese government,” their representative stated.

“Beijing’s stance” on a trade conflict has remained consistent: we wish to avoid one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Recently, Beijing declared it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and additional substances vital for cutting-edge industry.

This was seen as a key move, as the country handles about 90% of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in items such as solar panels and handheld devices.

New remarks from the US and China are being viewed by analysts as a strategy of strengthening positions prior to upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will go ahead.