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The former US president’s most recent ultimatum to introduce an further complete levy on Chinese goods has been called a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that China could implement its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the US President carries out his threat, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a possible trade conflict.

This past Friday, Donald Trump responded at Beijing’s move to strengthen its policies for foreign shipments of rare earths, accusing the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

Furthermore, he vowed to cancel a scheduled summit with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was arranged for a conference in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

His statements on Friday shook global markets, with the S&P 500 share index dropping over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

These statements reignited apprehensions of a trade conflict between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the both nations had reached an agreement to remove triple-digit tariffs on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

As a result, US tariffs on products from China incurring an extra import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering China are subject to a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – published by the Commerce Ministry in the form of written responses to press queries – reflected rhetoric from the zenith of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced United States controls on electronic components while supporting Beijing’s restrictions on exports on rare earths as “normal actions” to safeguard national security and that of every country.

Their representative said that for “many years”, the America had “broadened the definition” of state security, misused foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” unfair treatments against Beijing.

“Using” tariff threats is not the correct approach to engage with Beijing,” the spokesperson stated.

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

Recently, China declared it was tightening overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and other materials vital for high-technology production.

The action was viewed as a important measure, as the state refines about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are used in goods such as solar panels and mobile phones.

Latest statements from the US and China are being seen by some as a method of strengthening positions in preparation for future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between Trump and China’s leader, scheduled at a conference in South Korea in the coming weeks, will still proceed.