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Donald Trump’s most recent warning to enforce an extra complete levy on items imported from China has been described as a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that Beijing could enact its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant executes his threat, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a looming trade war.

Last Friday, the former president retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its regulations for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, alleging the Chinese leadership of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

Additionally, he warned to pull out of a arranged meeting with Chinese leader Xi, which was arranged for a summit in Seoul in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on that day unsettled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index falling by nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since April.

His comments renewed concerns of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

Earlier this year, the two sides had agreed to eliminate high import duties on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the two countries.

Consequently, US tariffs on Chinese imports facing an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering China are subject to a 10% tariff.

The most recent comments from China – published by the relevant government department in the format of formal replies to media inquiries – echoed language from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

They criticised American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while justifying Beijing’s export controls on rare earth minerals as “normal actions” to protect state interests and that of all nations.

The spokesperson stated that for “many years”, the US had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, misused overseas sale restrictions and “adopted discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the correct approach to deal with China,” the official 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 declared it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and other materials critical for high-technology production.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the country processes about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are employed in products such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being seen by some as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between the former president and President Xi, expected at a summit in Seoul later this month, will take place as planned.