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The former US president’s most recent ultimatum to enforce an further complete levy on items imported from China has been called a “prime illustration” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that the nation could enact its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the US President executes his pledge, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a possible trade conflict.

This past Friday, Donald Trump responded at Beijing’s move to strengthen its regulations for overseas sales of rare earths, alleging the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “hostage”.

He also vowed to withdraw from a scheduled talks with China’s President President Xi, which was expected to take place during a meeting in South Korea before the month ends.

The former president’s remarks on that day unsettled stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index dropping nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since last spring.

His comments renewed fears of a trade war between the two economic giants.

Earlier this year, the respective governments had agreed to eliminate high import duties on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of commerce ceasing between the two nations.

Consequently, American import duties on Chinese goods incurring an added import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering the country face a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of official answers to media inquiries – mirrored language from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced US export restrictions on electronic components while justifying the country’s own restrictions on exports on rare earths as “normal actions” to protect domestic safety and that of all nations.

Their representative remarked that for “an extended period”, the US had “overstretched the concept of state security, abused foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” unfair treatments against China.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the right way to interact with Beijing,” the spokesperson stated.

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has always been unchanging: we do not want one, but we are fearless of one.”

Last week, China declared it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and other materials critical for advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a significant step, as the state refines about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are used in products such as renewable energy components and mobile phones.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being interpreted by observers as a method of strengthening positions ahead of forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, expected at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will take place as planned.