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Trump’s newest ultimatum to introduce an additional complete levy on Chinese goods has been labeled a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that Beijing could enact its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the US President follows through on his pledge, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a possible commercial battle.

On Friday, Trump responded at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its regulations for exports of critical elements, charging China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “hostage”.

Furthermore, he threatened to pull out of a scheduled talks with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was arranged for a summit in Seoul in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on that day shook financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index closing down nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since April.

The president’s words renewed fears of a commercial dispute between the two economic giants.

This past spring, the both nations had agreed to eliminate high import duties on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the two countries.

As a result, US tariffs on products from China facing an added import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the country incur a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of written responses to journalist’s questions – reflected language from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while defending Beijing’s export controls on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to safeguard state interests and that of every country.

The official said that for “an extended period”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, abused overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” discriminatory practices against China.

“Turning to” import duty warnings is not the correct approach to deal with the Chinese government,” the spokesperson said.

“The nation’s view” on a import duty dispute has consistently been steady: we are not seeking one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government revealed it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and other materials essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a significant step, as the nation refines about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are used in goods such as solar panels and smartphones.

New remarks from the US and China are being seen by some as a method of strengthening positions in preparation for upcoming negotiations.

It is unclear whether a talks between the former president and Xi Jinping, expected at a high-level meeting in Seoul later this month, will still proceed.