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Donald Trump’s latest warning to introduce an further complete levy on items imported from China has been described as a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that the nation could enact its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the American leader executes his threat, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a potential trade war.

Last Friday, the former president responded at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its policies for exports of rare earth minerals, alleging the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

Furthermore, he threatened to withdraw from a planned summit with China’s President President Xi, which was set for a meeting in the Republic of Korea later this month.

His statements on last Friday unsettled stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index falling by 2.7%, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

The president’s words reignited apprehensions of a trade conflict between the two economic giants.

Earlier this year, the both nations had reached an agreement to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

Consequently, US tariffs on products from China facing an additional import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering China incur a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of formal replies to press queries – mirrored terminology from the height of the recent trade conflict.

They criticised American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while justifying Beijing’s restrictions on exports on key elements as “standard procedures” to protect state interests and that of the global community.

The spokesperson stated that for “many years”, the US had “broadened the definition” of state security, abused export control measures and “enforced” unfair treatments against China.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the correct approach to engage with China,” the official said.

“The nation’s view” on a import duty dispute has always been unchanging: we are not seeking one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Recently, China announced it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and further resources vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the country refines about 90% of the world’s rare earths, which are used in products such as solar panels and mobile phones.

New remarks from both governments are being viewed by observers as a strategy of strengthening positions ahead of upcoming negotiations.

It is unclear whether a talks between Donald Trump and China’s leader, planned at a conference in the Republic of Korea later this month, will still proceed.