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The former US president’s most recent warning to impose an further full import duty on items imported from China has been labeled a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that the nation could implement its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the US President follows through on his threat, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a potential commercial battle.

This past Friday, Trump retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its regulations for overseas sales of critical elements, alleging the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

Additionally, he warned to cancel a arranged meeting with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was expected to take place during a summit in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on Friday unsettled financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index falling by over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since April.

His comments revived apprehensions of a trade war between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the respective governments had reached an agreement to drop triple-digit tariffs on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the economic powers.

This left, United States levies on Chinese goods subject to an added import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering the country incur a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – published by the relevant government department in the form of formal replies to journalist’s questions – echoed language from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while defending the country’s own export controls on key elements as “routine measures” to protect national security and that of every country.

Their representative stated that for “many years”, the United States had “broadened the definition” of national security, misused overseas sale restrictions and “enforced” discriminatory practices against China.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to deal with China,” the official commented.

“Beijing’s stance” on a trade conflict has consistently been consistent: we wish to avoid one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Recently, China announced it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and other materials vital for high-technology production.

This was seen as a important measure, as the nation refines about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are used in products such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being seen by observers as a means of strengthening positions ahead of forthcoming discussions.

Remains uncertain whether a talks between Trump and Xi Jinping, expected at a high-level meeting in South Korea later this month, will go ahead.