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The former US president’s most recent ultimatum to introduce an extra complete levy on products from China has been described as a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the China’s leadership.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that the nation could enact its own unrevealed “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant executes his threat, adding that the country was “fearless” of a looming commercial battle.

On Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at Beijing’s move to tighten its rules for foreign shipments of rare earths, accusing China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “hostage”.

Additionally, he vowed to pull out of a arranged talks with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was expected to take place during a conference in Seoul in the coming weeks.

His statements on last Friday shook financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index closing down nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

These statements reignited concerns of a trade war between the United States and China.

Earlier this year, the two sides had agreed to drop significant levies on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the economic powers.

As a result, American import duties on Chinese goods facing an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the Chinese market incur a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of written responses to journalist’s questions – echoed terminology from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned United States controls on chips and semi-conductors while defending the country’s own restrictions on exports on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to safeguard national security and that of every country.

The official stated that for “many years”, the America had “overstretched the concept of state security, abused overseas sale restrictions and “adopted biased policies against Beijing.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the correct approach to engage with Beijing,” their representative said.

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

The previous week, Beijing declared it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and additional substances critical for high-technology production.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the state refines about 90% of the global rare earth supply, which are used in items such as solar panels and handheld devices.

The recent comments from Washington and Beijing are being seen by observers as a means of strengthening positions prior to future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a talks between the former president and President Xi, planned at a summit in South Korea before month’s end, will take place as planned.