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The former US president’s latest ultimatum to introduce an additional full import duty on Chinese goods has been labeled a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the China’s leadership.

A representative of the ministry also stated that China could enact its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant follows through on his warning, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a looming trade conflict.

This past Friday, the former president responded at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its policies for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, charging China of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

Furthermore, he vowed to withdraw from a scheduled summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a meeting in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday unsettled financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index falling by nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

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

This past spring, the respective governments had agreed to drop high import duties on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the two nations.

Consequently, American import duties on products from China facing an extra 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering the country are subject to a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – published by the Commerce Ministry in the format of official answers to media inquiries – echoed rhetoric from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced US export restrictions on electronic components while defending the country’s own restrictions on exports on key elements as “standard procedures” to protect state interests and that of all nations.

Their representative stated that for “an extended period”, the America had “broadened the definition” of domestic safety, misused overseas sale restrictions and “enforced” discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Using” trade levy ultimatums is not the right way to engage with China,” the spokesperson commented.

“China’s position on a tariff war has remained unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

Recently, the Chinese government revealed it was tightening export controls on rare earths and other materials critical for cutting-edge industry.

This was seen as a important measure, as the nation handles about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are utilized in goods such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

Latest statements from both governments are being seen by observers as a method of strengthening positions in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a talks between the former president and President Xi, scheduled at a conference in Seoul before month’s end, will still proceed.