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Donald Trump’s most recent ultimatum to introduce an additional full import duty on products from China has been called a “typical example” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry further commented that Beijing could enact its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the White House occupant follows through on his pledge, adding that the country was “unafraid” of a looming commercial battle.

Last Friday, the former president retaliated at Beijing’s move to reinforce its policies for exports of rare earth minerals, alleging China of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

He also vowed to pull out of a planned talks with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was expected to take place during a summit in South Korea later this month.

Trump’s comments on last Friday shook financial markets, with the S&P 500 falling by over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since April.

These statements renewed apprehensions of a trade war between the United States and China.

This past spring, the respective governments had reached an agreement to eliminate significant levies on each other’s products, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

This left, United States levies on products from China incurring an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering China are subject to a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of formal replies to media inquiries – echoed rhetoric from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while justifying Beijing’s export controls on key elements as “standard procedures” to safeguard national security and that of the global community.

The official stated that for “many years”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, abused overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” biased policies against Beijing.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the proper method to deal with Beijing,” the spokesperson commented.

“Beijing’s stance” on a trade conflict has always been steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, Beijing announced it was tightening export controls on rare earth minerals and other materials essential to high-technology production.

This was seen as a significant step, as the country processes about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in items such as solar panels and smartphones.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by analysts as a means of strengthening positions ahead of future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between the former president and Xi Jinping, planned at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will still proceed.