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The former US president’s most recent threat to introduce an extra full import duty on Chinese goods has been labeled a “prime illustration” of American hypocrisy, per the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry further commented that the nation could implement its own unrevealed “responsive actions” if the US President carries out his pledge, adding that the country was “unafraid” of a looming commercial battle.

On Friday, Trump retaliated at Beijing’s move to reinforce its rules for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, charging Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

Additionally, he warned to withdraw from a planned meeting with Chinese leader Xi, which was expected to take place during a conference in Seoul before the month ends.

Trump’s comments on last Friday unsettled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index dropping nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since last spring.

The president’s words renewed apprehensions of a trade conflict between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the respective governments had agreed to eliminate high import duties on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the two nations.

This left, US tariffs on Chinese imports subject to an extra 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering the country face a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – released by the relevant government department in the form of written responses to press queries – echoed terminology from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while defending the country’s own restrictions on exports on key elements as “normal actions” to safeguard domestic safety and that of the global community.

Their representative said that for “many years”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of state security, misused export control measures and “enforced” discriminatory practices against China.

“Using” trade levy ultimatums is not the right way to deal with the Chinese government,” the spokesperson commented.

“The nation’s view” on a trade conflict has remained steady: we are not seeking one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, Beijing revealed it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and further resources critical for high-technology production.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the state handles about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are utilized in items such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being interpreted by some as a means of strengthening positions ahead of future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a summit between Trump and President Xi, expected at a conference in South Korea in the coming weeks, will still proceed.