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Donald Trump’s newest threat to impose an additional full import duty on products from China has been called a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the China’s leadership.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry also stated that Beijing could introduce its own unrevealed “countermeasures” if the US President follows through on his pledge, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a looming trade conflict.

On Friday, Trump responded at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its policies for exports of rare earths, alleging China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

Furthermore, he threatened to pull out of a planned meeting with Chinese leader Xi, which was expected to take place during a meeting in Seoul before the month ends.

His statements on that day rattled global markets, with the S&P 500 closing down 2.7%, marking its largest decline since last spring.

The president’s words reignited concerns of a trade war between the two economic giants.

This past spring, the respective governments had reached an agreement to remove triple-digit tariffs on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

Consequently, American import duties on products from China subject to an extra 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market incur a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the format of official answers to journalist’s questions – echoed language from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced United States controls on chips and semi-conductors while supporting China’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earths as “routine measures” to protect state interests and that of every country.

The official said that for “an extended period”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, exploited export control measures and “adopted discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to deal with China,” their representative stated.

“The nation’s view” on a trade conflict has remained consistent: we wish to avoid one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, Beijing declared it was tightening export controls on key elements and further resources vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a significant step, as the country refines about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in goods such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

The recent comments from Washington and Beijing are being seen by some as a means of enhancing bargaining power ahead of future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between the former president and President Xi, planned at a summit in Seoul later this month, will still proceed.