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Trump’s latest warning to introduce an additional complete levy on items imported from China has been called a “prime illustration” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry also stated that China could introduce its own unrevealed “retaliatory steps” if the US President follows through on his pledge, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a potential trade war.

Last Friday, Trump hit back at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its policies for foreign shipments of rare earths, charging Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

Furthermore, he warned to withdraw from a planned meeting with Chinese leader President Xi, which was set for a summit in the Republic of Korea before the month ends.

The former president’s remarks on Friday unsettled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index closing down nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since last spring.

The president’s words reignited apprehensions of a commercial dispute between the two economic giants.

Earlier this year, the respective governments had agreed to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the economic powers.

This left, American import duties on Chinese imports facing an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the country are subject to a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the Commerce Ministry in the format of written responses to journalist’s questions – echoed language from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

They criticised American limits on exports on electronic components while supporting the country’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to protect domestic safety and that of every country.

Their representative stated that for “many years”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of state security, abused foreign shipment regulations and “enforced” unfair treatments against China.

“Using” tariff threats is not the proper method to interact with Beijing,” their representative said.

“Beijing’s stance” on a import duty dispute has always been steady: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Last week, Beijing declared it was reinforcing export controls on rare earth minerals and further resources critical for advanced tech manufacturing.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the nation handles about 90% of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in items such as solar panels and smartphones.

Latest statements from both governments are being seen by some as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a talks between the former president and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a high-level meeting in South Korea in the coming weeks, will go ahead.