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Trump’s latest warning to enforce an additional complete levy on products from China has been labeled a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that Beijing could implement its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant carries out his warning, adding that the country was “fearless” of a potential commercial battle.

On Friday, the former president retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its regulations for exports of critical elements, charging the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “hostage”.

Furthermore, he threatened to cancel a planned meeting with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was arranged for a summit in Seoul before the month ends.

The former president’s remarks on that day unsettled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index closing down over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since April.

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

This past spring, the respective governments had agreed to remove significant levies on each other’s goods, which had led to concerns of trade halting between the two countries.

Consequently, American import duties on Chinese goods incurring an added 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the Chinese market incur a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of official answers to media inquiries – echoed language from the peak of the recent trade conflict.

Officials denounced US export restrictions on chips and semi-conductors while justifying China’s own overseas sale regulations on key elements as “standard procedures” to safeguard national security and that of every country.

The spokesperson remarked that for “an extended period”, the United States had “broadened the definition” of state security, exploited export control measures and “implemented” biased policies against Beijing.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the right way to interact with the Chinese government,” the spokesperson said.

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

The previous week, the Chinese government announced it was tightening export controls on rare earths and further resources essential to cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the country processes about 90% of the planet’s critical minerals, which are utilized in items such as solar panels and mobile phones.

New remarks from the US and China are being seen by observers as a means of enhancing bargaining power prior to future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a talks between the former president and China’s leader, scheduled at a conference in the Republic of Korea later this month, will still proceed.