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

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that the nation could implement its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant carries out his pledge, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a looming commercial battle.

This past Friday, Trump responded at China’s decision to reinforce its regulations for exports of critical elements, charging Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

He also warned to cancel a planned summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a meeting in South Korea in the coming weeks.

His statements on that day unsettled financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index dropping nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

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

This past spring, the two sides had consented to drop high import duties on each other’s goods, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

This left, US tariffs on Chinese imports subject to an additional 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 – released by the relevant government department in the manner of written responses to journalist’s questions – reflected terminology from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on chips and semi-conductors while defending China’s own restrictions on exports on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to safeguard domestic safety and that of every country.

The official remarked that for “many years”, the United States had “broadened the definition” of domestic safety, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” unfair treatments against China.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the proper method to engage with Beijing,” their representative said.

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

Recently, Beijing declared it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and further resources essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the state handles about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are employed in products such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

The recent comments from Washington and Beijing are being seen by observers as a strategy of strengthening positions prior to future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a talks between the former president and Xi Jinping, planned at a conference in South Korea in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.