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Trump’s most recent threat to enforce an additional full import duty on Chinese goods has been described as a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that China could introduce its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the American leader executes his threat, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a potential trade conflict.

This past Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at China’s decision to reinforce its regulations for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, charging Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “hostage”.

Furthermore, he warned to cancel a planned summit with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was set for a meeting in the Republic of Korea before the month ends.

The former president’s remarks on that day rattled financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index falling by 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since April.

His comments renewed fears of a trade war between the US and China.

In May, the two sides had agreed to drop high import duties on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

Consequently, US tariffs on Chinese goods facing an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the Chinese market are subject to a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – released by the Commerce Ministry in the form of official answers to journalist’s questions – echoed language from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned United States controls on semiconductors and chips while defending Beijing’s overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to protect national security and that of the global community.

The official remarked that for “an extended period”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, exploited overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” biased policies against the Chinese nation.

“Turning to” import duty warnings is not the correct approach to engage with China,” the official stated.

“Beijing’s stance” on a import duty dispute has remained consistent: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government declared it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and further resources essential to high-technology production.

This was seen as a significant step, as the nation refines about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in goods such as solar panels and handheld devices.

New remarks from both governments are being seen by observers as a method of strengthening positions in preparation for upcoming negotiations.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between Trump and President Xi, expected at a high-level meeting in South Korea later this month, will still proceed.