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The former US president’s newest threat to introduce an extra complete levy on Chinese goods has been described as a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that China could introduce its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the American leader carries out his threat, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a looming trade war.

This past Friday, Trump responded at China’s decision to tighten its regulations for overseas sales of rare earths, alleging China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

Furthermore, he warned to cancel a scheduled meeting with China’s President President Xi, which was arranged for a summit in Seoul before the month ends.

His statements on Friday rattled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index closing down 2.7%, marking its steepest fall since last spring.

The president’s words reignited fears of a commercial dispute between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the respective governments had consented to eliminate significant levies on each other’s goods, which had led to concerns of trade halting between the two nations.

As a result, United States levies on Chinese goods subject to an added thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering China are subject to a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the relevant government department in the manner of written responses to media inquiries – mirrored terminology from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced United States controls on semiconductors and chips while defending China’s own restrictions on exports on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to safeguard state interests and that of all nations.

The official said that for “a long time”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, exploited overseas sale restrictions and “adopted discriminatory practices against Beijing.

“Using” trade levy ultimatums is not the right way to deal with Beijing,” their representative stated.

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

Recently, Beijing revealed it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on key elements and additional substances essential to high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a significant step, as the country refines about the vast majority 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 analysts as a method of enhancing bargaining power prior to forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a summit between the former president and China’s leader, scheduled at a conference in South Korea in the coming weeks, will still proceed.