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Trump’s latest ultimatum to impose an further full import duty on Chinese goods has been labeled a “classic case” of American hypocrisy, 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 possible trade war.

On Friday, Trump hit back at Beijing’s move to reinforce its regulations for exports of rare earth minerals, accusing the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

Additionally, he vowed to withdraw from a planned meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a summit in Seoul in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on Friday unsettled financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index closing down 2.7%, marking its largest decline since last spring.

These statements revived apprehensions of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

In May, the respective governments had consented to eliminate high import duties on each other’s goods, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

Consequently, US tariffs on products from China incurring an added 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market are subject to a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – published by the Commerce Ministry in the format of official answers to press queries – reflected language from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on electronic components while defending China’s own overseas sale regulations on key elements as “normal actions” to ensure domestic safety and that of every country.

Their representative remarked that for “many years”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of national security, misused overseas sale restrictions and “adopted biased policies against Beijing.

“Using” tariff threats is not the proper method to deal with China,” their representative said.

“Beijing’s stance” on a import duty dispute has remained consistent: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government declared it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and further resources critical for high-technology production.

The action was viewed as a important measure, as the state handles about 90% of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in products such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by some as a method of strengthening positions in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between Trump and China’s leader, scheduled at a conference in the Republic of Korea later this month, will still proceed.