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Donald Trump’s latest ultimatum to introduce an further complete levy on items imported from China has been called a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that China could enact its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the White House occupant executes his warning, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a possible trade conflict.

Last Friday, Trump responded at Beijing’s move to tighten its rules for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, charging China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

Furthermore, he warned to pull out of a arranged talks with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a summit in the Republic of Korea before the month ends.

His statements on that day rattled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index dropping 2.7%, marking its steepest fall since April.

His comments revived concerns of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

Earlier this year, the respective governments had agreed to eliminate significant levies on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

As a result, United States levies on products from China subject to an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the country are subject to a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – published by the relevant government department in the manner of official answers to press queries – echoed language from the zenith of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on electronic components while defending China’s own restrictions on exports on key elements as “standard procedures” to safeguard state interests and that of the global community.

Their representative said that for “an extended period”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of state security, abused foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” biased policies against China.

“Turning to” import duty warnings is not the correct approach to deal with Beijing,” the official commented.

“The nation’s view” on a trade conflict has always been unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government revealed it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earths and further resources vital for cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a important measure, as the country handles about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in products such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

New remarks from the US and China are being interpreted by observers as a method of enhancing bargaining power ahead of future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a talks between the former president and Xi Jinping, planned at a conference in Seoul in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.