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Trump’s latest warning to enforce an extra full import duty on items imported from China has been described as a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry also stated that the nation could implement its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the White House occupant carries out his pledge, noting that the country was “fearless” of a possible trade conflict.

On Friday, Donald Trump hit back at China’s decision to tighten its regulations for overseas sales of rare earths, alleging Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

Furthermore, he threatened to withdraw from a scheduled meeting with China’s President President Xi, which was expected to take place during a meeting in the Republic of Korea later this month.

The former president’s remarks on that day shook financial markets, with the S&P 500 dropping over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since April.

These statements renewed apprehensions of a trade war between the United States and China.

Earlier this year, the two sides had agreed to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the two nations.

This left, American import duties on Chinese goods incurring an additional import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the country incur a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the format of formal replies to press queries – reflected terminology from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while supporting China’s own export controls on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to safeguard state interests and that of the global community.

The spokesperson remarked that for “an extended period”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, exploited export control measures and “implemented” biased policies against the Chinese nation.

“Using” tariff threats is not the proper method to engage with Beijing,” the official stated.

“The nation’s view” on a import duty dispute has consistently been unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government declared it was tightening export controls on rare earths and further resources essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a important measure, as the nation handles about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in goods such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

The recent comments from the US and China are being viewed by observers as a means of enhancing bargaining power ahead of future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a talks between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a conference in South Korea later this month, will go ahead.