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Trump’s latest warning to enforce an extra complete levy on items imported from China has been called a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry also stated that China could introduce its own unrevealed “responsive actions” if the US President executes his warning, adding that the country was “fearless” of a possible trade conflict.

Last Friday, Trump hit back at China’s decision to reinforce its policies for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, alleging China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “captive”.

Furthermore, he threatened to pull out of a planned talks with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a summit in Seoul before the month ends.

Trump’s comments on last Friday rattled stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index closing down 2.7%, marking its steepest fall since last spring.

His comments reignited fears of a trade war between the US and China.

This past spring, the two sides had reached an agreement to remove triple-digit tariffs on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

This left, American import duties on Chinese goods incurring an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering China face a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of official answers to press queries – reflected rhetoric from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on chips and semi-conductors while defending the country’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earths as “routine measures” to ensure national security and that of all nations.

The official said that for “a long time”, the America had “overstretched the concept of state security, exploited export control measures and “implemented” discriminatory practices against Beijing.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the correct approach to deal with Beijing,” the spokesperson said.

“China’s position on a tariff war has remained consistent: we do not want one, but we are fearless of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government declared it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and other materials critical for cutting-edge industry.

This was seen as a key move, as the country processes about 90% of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in products such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

The recent comments from the US and China are being interpreted by analysts as a means of enhancing bargaining power prior to forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a summit between the former president and Xi Jinping, expected at a conference in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will take place as planned.