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Trump’s latest ultimatum to introduce an further complete levy on items imported from China has been described as a “classic case” of American hypocrisy, per the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that China could enact its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant follows through on his threat, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a possible trade conflict.

Last Friday, Donald Trump hit back at Beijing’s move to reinforce its policies for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, charging China of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

He also threatened to cancel a scheduled summit with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was arranged for a meeting in South Korea later this month.

Trump’s comments on last Friday rattled financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index closing down nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since last spring.

These statements renewed apprehensions of a trade war between the two economic giants.

Earlier this year, the two sides had agreed to drop high import duties on each other’s goods, which had led to concerns of trade halting between the two nations.

Consequently, American import duties on products from China subject to an added import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering the Chinese market are subject to a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of formal replies to media inquiries – echoed language from the height of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while defending Beijing’s restrictions on exports on rare earths as “standard procedures” to protect state interests and that of all nations.

The spokesperson remarked that for “an extended period”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, exploited export control measures and “adopted biased policies against the Chinese nation.

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

“China’s position on a trade conflict has remained consistent: we are not seeking one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Last week, China revealed it was strengthening overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and additional substances vital for high-technology production.

This was seen as a key move, as the state processes about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in products such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

Latest statements from the US and China are being viewed by some as a strategy of strengthening positions ahead of future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between Trump and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a summit in South Korea in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.