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The former US president’s latest threat to introduce an additional complete levy on Chinese goods has been labeled a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that China could enact its own unrevealed “responsive actions” if the White House occupant follows through on his pledge, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a potential commercial battle.

Last Friday, Donald Trump responded at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its rules for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, alleging China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the world “captive”.

Additionally, he threatened to withdraw from a scheduled talks with China’s President President Xi, which was set for a conference in South Korea later this month.

The former president’s remarks on Friday rattled financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index closing down 2.7%, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

The president’s words revived fears of a commercial dispute between the US and China.

In May, the two sides had consented to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s products, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the two countries.

As a result, American import duties on Chinese imports incurring an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering China face a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of written responses to journalist’s questions – mirrored rhetoric from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned United States controls on electronic components while supporting the country’s own restrictions on exports on rare earth minerals as “normal actions” to safeguard national security and that of the global community.

Their representative said that for “an extended period”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, abused export control measures and “enforced” biased policies against the Chinese nation.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the proper method to engage with Beijing,” their representative stated.

“The nation’s view” on a import duty dispute has consistently been unchanging: we do not want one, but we are fearless of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government revealed it was tightening overseas sale regulations on key elements and additional substances vital for cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the country refines about 90% of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in goods such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

Latest statements from both governments are being seen by some as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power prior to upcoming negotiations.

It is unclear whether a talks between the former president and China’s leader, expected at a high-level meeting in Seoul later this month, will go ahead.