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The former US president’s most recent threat to introduce an further full import duty on items imported from China has been labeled a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the China’s leadership.

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that China could introduce its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant follows through on his warning, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a looming trade war.

Last Friday, Donald Trump hit back at China’s decision to strengthen its regulations for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, charging China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “hostage”.

Furthermore, he warned to withdraw from a arranged talks with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was expected to take place during a conference in South Korea in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on that day unsettled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index dropping over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since April.

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

In May, the two sides had agreed to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

Consequently, United States levies on Chinese goods subject to an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering the country are subject to a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of official answers to press queries – mirrored terminology from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised US export restrictions on chips and semi-conductors while justifying the country’s own overseas sale regulations on key elements as “routine measures” to safeguard state interests and that of all nations.

Their representative said that for “an extended period”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, abused overseas sale restrictions and “adopted unfair treatments against China.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the proper method to interact with Beijing,” the official stated.

“Beijing’s stance” on a trade conflict has remained steady: we do not want one, but we are fearless of one.”

The previous week, China declared it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and additional substances critical for high-technology production.

The action was viewed as a important measure, as the state refines about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are utilized in goods such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

New remarks from the US and China are being seen by analysts as a means of enhancing bargaining power ahead of upcoming negotiations.

It is unclear whether a talks between the former president and Xi Jinping, expected at a summit in Seoul later this month, will still proceed.