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Donald Trump’s newest warning to introduce an further complete levy on items imported from China has been called a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that China could introduce its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the American leader follows through on his threat, noting that the country was “fearless” of a possible commercial battle.

Last Friday, Donald Trump responded at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its rules for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, accusing Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “hostage”.

Furthermore, he vowed to cancel a scheduled talks with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was expected to take place during a conference in the Republic of Korea later this month.

His statements on that day shook financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index closing down nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

The president’s words revived apprehensions of a commercial dispute between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the two sides had agreed to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s products, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the economic powers.

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

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the Commerce Ministry in the form of written responses to media inquiries – echoed terminology from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on electronic components while justifying the country’s own restrictions on exports on rare earth minerals as “normal actions” to ensure national security and that of all nations.

Their representative said that for “many years”, the US had “broadened the definition” of state security, misused foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” unfair treatments against China.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the correct approach to engage with Beijing,” the official commented.

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war has remained unchanging: we are not seeking one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Last week, China announced it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and further resources critical for high-technology production.

This was seen as a key move, as the state refines about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in items such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

New remarks from both governments are being seen by some as a means of bolstering negotiating stances prior to future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a talks between the former president and China’s leader, expected at a summit in Seoul before month’s end, will go ahead.