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The former US president’s most recent ultimatum to impose an extra full import duty on products from China has been labeled a “prime illustration” of American hypocrisy, per the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry further commented that Beijing could enact its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the White House occupant executes his pledge, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a potential trade conflict.

On Friday, Donald Trump responded at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its rules for overseas sales of rare earths, alleging the Chinese leadership of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

Furthermore, he vowed to withdraw from a arranged talks with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a summit in South Korea before the month ends.

Trump’s comments on last Friday unsettled global markets, with the S&P 500 dropping nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

His comments reignited apprehensions of a commercial dispute between the two economic giants.

Earlier this year, the both nations had consented to drop significant levies on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

Consequently, American import duties on Chinese goods subject to an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the Chinese market are subject to a 10% tariff.

The most recent comments from China – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the format of written responses to press queries – echoed rhetoric from the height of the recent trade conflict.

Officials denounced US export restrictions on electronic components while supporting Beijing’s restrictions on exports on key elements as “normal actions” to protect state interests and that of all nations.

Their representative said that for “a long time”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, exploited export control measures and “implemented” unfair treatments against China.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the right way to interact with Beijing,” the official stated.

“Beijing’s stance” on a import duty dispute has consistently been consistent: we are not seeking one, but we are fearless of one.”

Recently, the Chinese government announced it was tightening export controls on key elements and other materials essential to high-technology production.

This was seen as a significant step, as the country refines about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in goods such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

The recent comments from Washington and Beijing are being seen by analysts as a means of enhancing bargaining power in preparation for future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a summit between Donald Trump and President Xi, scheduled at a conference in South Korea in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.