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The former US president’s most recent ultimatum to enforce an additional complete levy on items imported from China has been labeled a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry also stated that the nation could implement its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the White House occupant follows through on his threat, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a potential commercial battle.

On Friday, Trump retaliated at Beijing’s move to strengthen its policies for exports of rare earth minerals, charging China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

Furthermore, he warned to cancel a scheduled summit with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a meeting in Seoul before the month ends.

His statements on that day rattled global markets, with the S&P 500 falling by over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

His comments renewed apprehensions of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

Earlier this year, the both nations had reached an agreement to drop high import duties on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

As a result, US tariffs on Chinese goods incurring an added import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the country incur a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the format of formal replies to journalist’s questions – echoed language from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised US export restrictions on electronic components while defending Beijing’s export controls on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to protect national security and that of the global community.

Their representative stated that for “an extended period”, the America had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, misused overseas sale restrictions and “adopted discriminatory practices against Beijing.

“Turning to” trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to deal with Beijing,” their representative commented.

“China’s position on a tariff war has consistently been steady: we are not seeking one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Recently, Beijing declared it was tightening overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and further resources essential to cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a important measure, as the country processes about 90% of the global rare earth supply, which are used in items such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

New remarks from the US and China are being interpreted by analysts as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances prior to future trade talks.

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