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Donald Trump’s newest threat to enforce an extra full import duty on Chinese goods has been called a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that Beijing could enact its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the US President follows through on his pledge, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a potential commercial battle.

Last Friday, Trump responded at Beijing’s move to reinforce its policies for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, alleging China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “hostage”.

Additionally, he vowed to pull out of a planned meeting with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was expected to take place during a summit in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on last Friday shook financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index closing down 2.7%, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

The president’s words revived fears of a trade war between the two economic giants.

This past spring, the respective governments had reached an agreement to eliminate significant levies on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the two countries.

Consequently, US tariffs on products from China facing an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering the country are subject to a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – released by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of formal replies to media inquiries – reflected rhetoric from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while supporting Beijing’s restrictions on exports on key elements as “normal actions” to protect domestic safety and that of all nations.

The spokesperson remarked that for “an extended period”, the US had “overstretched the concept of national security, misused export control measures and “adopted unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the right way to deal with the Chinese government,” the official commented.

“The nation’s view” on a tariff war has consistently been steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, Beijing revealed it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and additional substances essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the nation refines about 90% of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in items such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

New remarks from the US and China are being interpreted by some as a means of strengthening positions prior to future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, planned at a summit in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will go ahead.