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The former US president’s newest threat to enforce an further complete levy on Chinese goods has been labeled a “prime illustration” of American hypocrisy, according to the Chinese government.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that Beijing could introduce its own unrevealed “responsive actions” if the US President executes his warning, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a looming commercial battle.

Last Friday, Donald Trump hit back at China’s decision to tighten its policies for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, charging China of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “hostage”.

Furthermore, he threatened to cancel a scheduled talks with China’s President Xi, which was expected to take place during a meeting in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on Friday unsettled global markets, with the S&P 500 falling by nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

The president’s words revived fears of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

In May, the two sides had reached an agreement to remove high import duties on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

As a result, American import duties on products from China subject to an additional import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the country face a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the relevant government department in the form of written responses to press queries – reflected language from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised United States controls on semiconductors and chips while justifying China’s own overseas sale regulations on key elements as “standard procedures” to protect state interests and that of every country.

The official remarked that for “an extended period”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, misused foreign shipment regulations and “enforced” biased policies against Beijing.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the correct approach to engage with the Chinese government,” the official said.

“Beijing’s stance” on a trade conflict has consistently been consistent: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Last week, China declared it was tightening overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and other materials vital for cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the country processes about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in items such as solar panels and handheld devices.

The recent comments from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by observers as a means of enhancing bargaining power in preparation for future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between the former president and China’s leader, planned at a conference in the Republic of Korea later this month, will still proceed.