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The former US president’s most recent threat to introduce an further complete levy on items imported from China has been described as a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that China could implement its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the White House occupant executes his threat, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a possible trade war.

On Friday, the former president retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its policies for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, charging Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “captive”.

Furthermore, he threatened to pull out of a planned talks with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a summit in the Republic of Korea later this month.

His statements on that day unsettled financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index falling by over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since last spring.

The president’s words renewed concerns of a commercial dispute between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the two sides had consented to drop high import duties on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the economic powers.

This left, American import duties on products from China incurring an added import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the country are subject to a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – released by the relevant government department in the form of written responses to media inquiries – echoed terminology from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

Officials denounced United States controls on semiconductors and chips while justifying China’s own export controls on rare earths as “routine measures” to safeguard domestic safety and that of every country.

Their representative said that for “an extended period”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, abused export control measures and “implemented” discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Turning to” trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to interact with the Chinese government,” the spokesperson stated.

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

Recently, China announced it was tightening export controls on rare earth minerals and additional substances critical for advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the nation processes about 90% of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in goods such as solar panels and handheld devices.

The recent comments from both governments are being interpreted by observers as a method of enhancing bargaining power in preparation for upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a talks between Trump and President Xi, scheduled at a conference in Seoul in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.