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Trump’s newest threat to enforce an further complete levy on Chinese goods has been called a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the China’s leadership.

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that China could enact its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the White House occupant follows through on his warning, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a possible trade war.

On Friday, Donald Trump responded at Beijing’s move to tighten its policies for exports of critical elements, charging the Chinese leadership of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

Furthermore, he threatened to pull out of a planned summit with Chinese leader Xi, which was expected to take place during a conference in Seoul in the coming weeks.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday unsettled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index falling by nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since April.

These statements renewed concerns of a trade war between the two economic giants.

In May, the respective governments had agreed to eliminate significant levies on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

Consequently, American import duties on Chinese imports facing an added import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market are subject to a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of written responses to press queries – mirrored language from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while supporting the country’s own export controls on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to ensure domestic safety and that of the global community.

Their representative remarked that for “an extended period”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, abused overseas sale restrictions and “enforced” discriminatory practices against China.

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

“China’s position on a tariff war has consistently been unchanging: we are not seeking one, but we are fearless of one.”

Recently, Beijing announced it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earths and additional substances vital for cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the state refines about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are used in goods such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

New remarks from the US and China are being interpreted by observers as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power ahead of upcoming negotiations.

It is unclear whether a talks between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, expected at a high-level meeting in Seoul in the coming weeks, will go ahead.