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The former US president’s newest ultimatum to impose an additional complete levy on products from China has been described as a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that the nation could implement its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the White House occupant carries out his warning, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a looming trade war.

On Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at Beijing’s move to tighten its regulations for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, alleging the Chinese leadership of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “hostage”.

Additionally, he warned to withdraw from a scheduled meeting with Chinese leader President Xi, which was set for a meeting in the Republic of Korea later this month.

His statements on Friday shook financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index dropping nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since last spring.

The president’s words renewed fears of a trade war between the United States and China.

This past spring, the two sides had reached an agreement to remove triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

This left, United States levies on Chinese goods incurring an additional 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering the Chinese market face a import levy.

The most recent comments from China – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the format of official answers to media inquiries – echoed language from the height of the recent trade conflict.

They criticised United States controls on chips and semi-conductors while supporting the country’s own export controls on key elements as “routine measures” to protect domestic safety and that of all nations.

The spokesperson remarked that for “a long time”, the United States had “broadened the definition” of state security, misused foreign shipment regulations and “enforced” discriminatory practices against Beijing.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the proper method to deal with Beijing,” the spokesperson said.

“Beijing’s stance” on a import duty dispute has always been unchanging: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government announced it was strengthening export controls on rare earth minerals and additional substances critical for cutting-edge industry.

This was seen as a key move, as the state processes about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in goods such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

The recent comments from the US and China are being interpreted by observers as a means of enhancing bargaining power ahead of upcoming negotiations.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between Trump and President Xi, scheduled at a conference in the Republic of Korea later this month, will go ahead.