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The former US president’s most recent threat to enforce an further complete levy on Chinese goods has been called a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry also stated that the nation could implement its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the White House occupant executes his warning, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a potential commercial battle.

On Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its regulations for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, charging the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the world “hostage”.

He also threatened to cancel a scheduled summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was set for a conference in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on Friday shook stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index closing down over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since April.

These statements revived apprehensions of a commercial dispute between the two economic giants.

Earlier this year, the two sides had agreed to drop high import duties on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of commerce ceasing between the economic powers.

Consequently, American import duties on products from China incurring an additional 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the Chinese market face a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the relevant government department in the form of official answers to journalist’s questions – echoed language from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while defending Beijing’s overseas sale regulations on rare earths as “standard procedures” to ensure state interests and that of every country.

The official remarked that for “an extended period”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, misused foreign shipment regulations and “enforced” biased policies against Beijing.

“Turning to” import duty warnings is not the correct approach to deal with the Chinese government,” the spokesperson commented.

“The nation’s view” on a import duty dispute has always been steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

Last week, Beijing revealed it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on rare earths and further resources critical for cutting-edge industry.

This was seen as a significant step, as the country refines about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are utilized in products such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

New remarks from the US and China are being viewed by analysts as a method of enhancing bargaining power ahead of forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a talks between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a conference in South Korea before month’s end, will take place as planned.