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Trump’s newest warning to enforce an further full import duty on items imported from China has been labeled a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Chinese government.

A representative of the ministry also stated that the nation could implement its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the American leader executes his warning, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a looming trade war.

On Friday, the former president retaliated at China’s decision to strengthen its regulations for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, accusing China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

He also threatened to withdraw from a arranged meeting with China’s President Xi, which was set for a conference in the Republic of Korea later this month.

Trump’s comments on Friday shook stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index closing down 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since April.

These statements renewed concerns of a trade conflict between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the two sides had agreed to drop significant levies on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

As a result, US tariffs on products from China incurring an additional import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering the country face a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of official answers to media inquiries – echoed terminology from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while justifying China’s own restrictions on exports on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to ensure national security and that of all nations.

The official said that for “a long time”, the US had “overstretched the concept of national security, abused overseas sale restrictions and “enforced” discriminatory practices against China.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to deal with China,” the official said.

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war has remained consistent: we wish to avoid one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Recently, Beijing announced it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earths and further resources essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the country refines about 90% of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in products such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

The recent comments from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by some as a method of enhancing bargaining power ahead of upcoming negotiations.

It is unclear whether a summit between the former president and China’s leader, planned at a summit in Seoul before month’s end, will still proceed.