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Trump’s latest warning to impose an further full import duty on products from China has been called a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the China’s leadership.

A representative of the ministry further commented that Beijing could enact its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the White House occupant carries out his warning, noting that the country was “fearless” of a looming trade conflict.

On Friday, Donald Trump responded at Beijing’s move to tighten its policies for exports of rare earth minerals, charging China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

Furthermore, he warned to pull out of a arranged summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was set for a meeting in the Republic of Korea before the month ends.

Trump’s comments on last Friday unsettled global markets, with the S&P 500 closing down 2.7%, marking its largest decline since last spring.

His comments revived concerns of a commercial dispute between the US and China.

This past spring, the respective governments had agreed to eliminate high import duties on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

Consequently, US tariffs on Chinese goods incurring an added thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering the country are subject to a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – released by the Commerce Ministry in the form of formal replies to press queries – reflected language from the height of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while defending the country’s own export controls on rare earths as “normal actions” to ensure state interests and that of all nations.

The official stated that for “many years”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “adopted unfair treatments against Beijing.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the right way to engage with Beijing,” the spokesperson said.

“The nation’s view” on a tariff war has always been consistent: we are not seeking one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Recently, China declared it was tightening overseas sale regulations on rare earths and additional substances critical for advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a significant step, as the nation processes about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in goods such as solar panels and mobile phones.

The recent comments from both governments are being viewed by analysts as a method of strengthening positions ahead of upcoming negotiations.

It is unclear whether a meeting between the former president and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea later this month, will go ahead.