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Donald Trump’s most recent threat to enforce an further complete levy on Chinese goods has been labeled a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Chinese government.

A representative of the ministry further commented that Beijing could introduce its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the White House occupant executes his pledge, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a potential trade conflict.

Last Friday, Trump hit back at China’s decision to reinforce its policies for exports of critical elements, alleging China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “captive”.

Furthermore, he threatened to pull out of a planned summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a meeting in South Korea before the month ends.

Trump’s comments on Friday rattled global markets, with the S&P 500 closing down 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since April.

His comments renewed apprehensions of a commercial dispute between the two economic giants.

In May, the two sides had reached an agreement to drop high import duties on each other’s products, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the two nations.

As a result, American import duties on products from China subject to an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering the country incur a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – released by the relevant government department in the manner of formal replies to journalist’s questions – mirrored rhetoric from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while justifying the country’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earths as “standard procedures” to protect domestic safety and that of the global community.

Their representative stated that for “a long time”, the US had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, misused foreign shipment regulations and “enforced” discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the correct approach to deal with China,” their representative commented.

“China’s position on a trade conflict has always been unchanging: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Recently, the Chinese government declared it was reinforcing 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 refines about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in goods such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by some as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power ahead of forthcoming discussions.

Remains uncertain whether a talks between the former president and China’s leader, scheduled at a high-level meeting in South Korea later this month, will still proceed.