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Trump’s newest threat to introduce an additional complete levy on items imported from China has been labeled a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that Beijing could introduce its own unrevealed “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant follows through on his threat, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a possible trade conflict.

This past Friday, the former president responded at China’s decision to strengthen its rules for exports of critical elements, accusing China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “hostage”.

Additionally, he threatened to cancel a planned meeting with Chinese leader President Xi, which was set for a summit in South Korea in the coming weeks.

His statements on Friday shook global markets, with the benchmark US stock index closing down over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since last spring.

The president’s words reignited apprehensions of a trade conflict between the United States and China.

Earlier this year, the both nations had agreed to remove significant levies on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of commerce ceasing between the two countries.

Consequently, United States levies on Chinese goods facing an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the Chinese market are subject to a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the relevant government department in the manner of written responses to journalist’s questions – mirrored language from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on electronic components while defending China’s own export controls on rare earths as “normal actions” to ensure state interests and that of the global community.

The spokesperson remarked that for “many years”, the America had “broadened the definition” of domestic safety, abused overseas sale restrictions and “enforced” unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the right way to engage with China,” their representative commented.

“The nation’s view” on a import duty dispute has consistently been consistent: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, China declared it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and additional substances vital for high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the country processes about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are used in items such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

The recent comments from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by some as a method of strengthening positions ahead of forthcoming discussions.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between the former president and Xi Jinping, planned at a summit in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will still proceed.