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Trump’s newest ultimatum to introduce an extra complete levy on items imported from China has been called a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that Beijing could implement its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the American leader follows through on his threat, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a possible trade war.

On Friday, the former president responded at Beijing’s move to reinforce its policies for exports of rare earths, accusing the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

He also threatened to pull out of a arranged summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a meeting in South Korea later this month.

The former president’s remarks on Friday unsettled financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index closing down 2.7%, marking its steepest fall since last spring.

The president’s words renewed fears of a trade war between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the two sides had agreed to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of commerce ceasing between the two countries.

This left, American import duties on products from China subject to an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering China are subject to a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of official answers to media inquiries – reflected rhetoric from the zenith of the latest commercial tensions.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while justifying the country’s own overseas sale regulations on key elements as “normal actions” to ensure national security and that of the global community.

Their representative stated that for “a long time”, the America had “overstretched the concept of state security, misused overseas sale restrictions and “adopted biased policies against China.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the proper method to interact with the Chinese government,” their representative stated.

“China’s position on a tariff war has remained steady: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government announced it was tightening overseas sale regulations on rare earths and further resources critical for cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the nation refines about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are utilized in items such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being seen by some as a means of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between the former president and President Xi, expected at a conference in South Korea later this month, will still proceed.