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Trump’s newest warning to impose an extra full import duty on Chinese goods has been labeled a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the Chinese government.

A representative of the ministry also stated that China could implement its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the White House occupant executes his warning, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a potential trade war.

Last Friday, Donald Trump responded at Beijing’s move to tighten its rules for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, charging China of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “captive”.

He also threatened to cancel a scheduled meeting with China’s President Xi, which was expected to take place during a conference in Seoul later this month.

His statements on that day unsettled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 dropping 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

His comments revived fears of a trade conflict between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the both nations had reached an agreement to drop triple-digit tariffs on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

This left, United States levies on Chinese goods incurring an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the Chinese market incur a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – released by the Ministry of Commerce in the format of written responses to media inquiries – mirrored terminology from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

They criticised United States controls on electronic components while justifying China’s own restrictions on exports on rare earths as “routine measures” to ensure domestic safety and that of all nations.

Their representative remarked that for “a long time”, the America had “broadened the definition” of national security, abused foreign shipment regulations and “enforced” biased policies against Beijing.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the right way to engage with China,” the official stated.

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

The previous week, Beijing announced it was strengthening export controls on rare earths and additional substances essential to high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the nation refines about 90% of the global rare earth supply, which are used in products such as solar panels and mobile phones.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by analysts as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances in preparation for future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a summit between Trump and China’s leader, planned at a summit in Seoul in the coming weeks, will still proceed.