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Donald Trump’s most recent threat to enforce an extra complete levy on products from China has been labeled a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the China’s leadership.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that China could implement its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant carries out his warning, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a possible commercial battle.

Last Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at Beijing’s move to tighten its rules for exports of rare earth minerals, accusing Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

Additionally, he threatened to cancel a scheduled summit with China’s President Xi, which was arranged for a conference in South Korea later this month.

His statements on last Friday shook stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index falling by over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

These statements reignited fears of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

This past spring, the both nations had reached an agreement to drop triple-digit tariffs on each other’s products, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the economic powers.

Consequently, US tariffs on Chinese imports facing an extra import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering China face a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the Ministry of Commerce in the format of official answers to journalist’s questions – mirrored terminology from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

They criticised United States controls on electronic components while justifying the country’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to protect domestic safety and that of all nations.

The spokesperson stated that for “an extended period”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, misused overseas sale restrictions and “enforced” unfair treatments against China.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the proper method to deal with Beijing,” the official commented.

“China’s position on a tariff war has consistently been unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, Beijing revealed it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and additional substances essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a significant step, as the nation processes about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are employed in products such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by analysts as a means of bolstering negotiating stances in preparation for future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a talks between Trump and China’s leader, planned at a conference in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will take place as planned.