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Donald Trump’s latest ultimatum to enforce an further complete levy on Chinese goods has been called a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Chinese government.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry also stated that the nation could enact its own unrevealed “responsive actions” if the US President executes his warning, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a potential commercial battle.

On Friday, the former president hit back at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its regulations for foreign shipments of critical elements, alleging China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

Additionally, he threatened to withdraw from a arranged meeting with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a summit in Seoul later this month.

The former president’s remarks on Friday rattled stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index closing down nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since April.

His comments reignited apprehensions of a trade conflict between the United States and China.

Earlier this year, the both nations had reached an agreement to drop high import duties on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the two countries.

As a result, United States levies on products from China incurring an extra import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market incur a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – released by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of written responses to press queries – reflected rhetoric from the peak of the recent trade conflict.

Officials denounced US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while supporting Beijing’s export controls on rare earths as “standard procedures” to ensure state interests and that of all nations.

The official remarked that for “a long time”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, abused export control measures and “adopted unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the correct approach to interact with China,” their representative said.

“The nation’s view” on a trade conflict has always been unchanging: we are not seeking one, but we are fearless of one.”

The previous week, Beijing revealed it was strengthening overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and further resources essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the country processes about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in items such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

Latest statements from the US and China are being seen by some as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power ahead of forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, expected at a summit in Seoul later this month, will still proceed.