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Donald Trump’s most recent warning to enforce an extra complete levy on products from China has been described as a “classic case” of American hypocrisy, according to the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry also stated that China could enact its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant follows through on his pledge, noting that the country was “fearless” of a potential trade conflict.

This past Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at China’s decision to strengthen its policies for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, charging Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

Additionally, he threatened to pull out of a arranged talks with China’s President Xi, which was set for a conference in Seoul before the month ends.

His statements on that day unsettled financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index dropping nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

These statements renewed concerns of a trade war between the United States and China.

This past spring, the respective governments had consented to drop high import duties on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of commerce ceasing between the two countries.

This left, United States levies on Chinese imports facing an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering the Chinese market are subject to a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the form of written responses to media inquiries – mirrored rhetoric from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned United States controls on semiconductors and chips while defending Beijing’s export controls on rare earths as “standard procedures” to safeguard national security and that of the global community.

Their representative said that for “an extended period”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, exploited overseas sale restrictions and “adopted unfair treatments against Beijing.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the proper method to engage with China,” the spokesperson said.

“Beijing’s stance” on a import duty dispute has consistently been unchanging: we do not want one, but we are fearless of one.”

Last week, Beijing declared it was reinforcing export controls on rare earths and additional substances vital for high-technology production.

This was seen as a important measure, as the state refines about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in products such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being interpreted by observers as a means of enhancing bargaining power ahead of future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a talks between the former president and President Xi, expected at a summit in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.