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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, as stated by the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that the nation could introduce its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the US President executes his pledge, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a looming trade conflict.

On Friday, Trump hit back at Beijing’s move to reinforce its policies for foreign shipments of rare earths, accusing the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

He also warned to cancel a arranged meeting with China’s President President Xi, which was expected to take place during a conference in Seoul before the month ends.

Trump’s comments on last Friday rattled financial markets, with the S&P 500 closing down nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since April.

These statements reignited fears of a commercial dispute between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the two sides had reached an agreement to drop high import duties on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of commerce ceasing between the two nations.

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 face a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the format of written responses to journalist’s questions – reflected terminology from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while justifying China’s own export controls on rare earths as “normal actions” to protect domestic safety and that of the global community.

Their representative said that for “a long time”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, abused foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” unfair treatments against China.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to interact with the Chinese government,” their representative said.

“Beijing’s stance” on a import duty dispute has consistently been unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Last week, Beijing revealed it was tightening overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and other materials essential to cutting-edge industry.

This was seen as a significant step, as the country refines about 90% of the global rare earth supply, which are utilized in products such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

The recent comments from the US and China are being seen by some as a means of bolstering negotiating stances in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a talks between Donald Trump and China’s leader, scheduled at a summit in Seoul before month’s end, will go ahead.