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The former US president’s newest ultimatum to impose an additional full import duty on items imported from China has been called a “classic case” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the Chinese government.

A representative of the ministry further commented that Beijing could introduce its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the American leader carries out his warning, adding that the country was “fearless” of a possible commercial battle.

Last Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its rules for exports of rare earth minerals, charging Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “hostage”.

Furthermore, he threatened to pull out of a planned summit with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was set for a conference in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

His statements on that day rattled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index dropping over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since April.

These statements reignited concerns of a commercial dispute between the two economic giants.

This past spring, the both nations had agreed to remove significant levies on each other’s products, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

This left, US tariffs on Chinese goods subject to an extra 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering the country incur a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of formal replies to press queries – reflected rhetoric from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

They criticised United States controls on chips and semi-conductors while defending Beijing’s restrictions on exports on key elements as “routine measures” to protect national security and that of every country.

Their representative said that for “many years”, the America had “broadened the definition” of national security, exploited overseas sale restrictions and “adopted unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the right way to interact with Beijing,” their representative stated.

“China’s position on a tariff war has always been steady: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, China announced it was strengthening export controls on rare earths and additional substances essential to high-technology production.

This was seen as a significant step, as the nation processes about 90% of the planet’s critical minerals, which are employed in goods such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

The recent comments from the US and China are being viewed by some as a method of enhancing bargaining power in preparation for future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a summit between Donald Trump and China’s leader, expected at a conference in South Korea before month’s end, will still proceed.