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The former US president’s most recent threat to impose an extra full import duty on Chinese goods has been described as a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that the nation could enact its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the US President carries out his warning, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a potential trade conflict.

This past Friday, Donald Trump responded at Beijing’s move to strengthen its regulations for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, charging China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

He also warned to pull out of a arranged meeting with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was set for a conference in Seoul later this month.

Trump’s comments on Friday shook stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index closing down nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

His comments reignited concerns of a commercial dispute between the two economic giants.

In May, the two sides had agreed to drop triple-digit tariffs on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the two countries.

This left, US tariffs on Chinese goods subject to an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the country are subject to a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the relevant government department in the manner of written responses to journalist’s questions – reflected terminology from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced United States controls on chips and semi-conductors while defending the country’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to safeguard domestic safety and that of the global community.

The spokesperson said that for “an extended period”, the America had “broadened the definition” of domestic safety, exploited overseas sale restrictions and “enforced” discriminatory practices against Beijing.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the right way to deal with the Chinese government,” the official said.

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

The previous week, China announced it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and additional substances critical for cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a significant step, as the state handles about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are used in products such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

Latest statements from the US and China are being interpreted by some as a method of bolstering negotiating stances prior to future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a meeting between the former president and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a conference in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will still proceed.