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Trump’s most recent warning to introduce 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 representative of the ministry further commented that the nation could introduce its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the US President executes his warning, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a looming commercial battle.

Last Friday, Trump retaliated at Beijing’s move to tighten its rules for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, charging Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

He also vowed to pull out of a arranged talks with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a meeting in South Korea later this month.

The former president’s remarks on that day unsettled stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index falling by 2.7%, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

His comments renewed apprehensions of a trade conflict between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the respective governments had reached an agreement to remove triple-digit tariffs on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

Consequently, American import duties on products from China facing an extra 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market face a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of written responses to press queries – echoed rhetoric from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while justifying China’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earths as “routine measures” to safeguard national security and that of all nations.

The spokesperson remarked that for “an extended period”, the America had “broadened the definition” of state security, exploited overseas sale restrictions and “adopted biased policies against Beijing.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to engage with Beijing,” the official said.

“China’s position on a trade conflict has remained steady: we are not seeking one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Recently, the Chinese government declared it was tightening overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and further resources critical for cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the country handles about 90% of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in items such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by some as a method of strengthening positions ahead of upcoming negotiations.

It is unclear whether a talks between Trump and Xi Jinping, planned at a summit in South Korea in the coming weeks, will go ahead.