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Donald Trump’s newest warning to introduce an additional full import duty on items imported from China has been labeled a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that China could enact its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the US President executes his warning, noting that the country was “fearless” of a potential trade conflict.

Last Friday, the former president responded at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its rules for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, alleging Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

He also warned to pull out of a arranged meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was set for a meeting in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

His statements on that day unsettled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 falling by nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

The president’s words reignited apprehensions of a commercial dispute between the US and China.

In May, the two sides had agreed to remove significant levies on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the two countries.

This left, US tariffs on products from China facing an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering China are subject to a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of official answers to media inquiries – reflected terminology from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

They criticised US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while defending the country’s own export controls on rare earth minerals as “normal actions” to protect domestic safety and that of the global community.

The official stated that for “a long time”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, exploited export control measures and “enforced” discriminatory practices against China.

“Using” tariff threats is not the right way to interact with the Chinese government,” their representative commented.

“Beijing’s stance” on a trade conflict has remained unchanging: we are not seeking one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Last week, Beijing revealed it was tightening export controls on key elements and other materials essential to cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the nation handles about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are utilized in goods such as solar panels and smartphones.

The recent comments from the US and China are being seen by analysts as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power prior to forthcoming discussions.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between Trump and President Xi, expected at a summit in Seoul before month’s end, will still proceed.