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Trump’s newest warning to enforce an extra full import duty on Chinese goods has been labeled a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that the nation could enact its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the White House occupant carries out his pledge, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a potential trade conflict.

This past Friday, the former president responded at China’s decision to tighten its policies for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, charging the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

Additionally, he vowed to cancel a planned summit with Chinese leader Xi, which was set for a conference in South Korea in the coming weeks.

The former president’s remarks on that day unsettled global markets, with the S&P 500 closing down 2.7%, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

The president’s words renewed concerns of a trade conflict between the two economic giants.

In May, the two sides had consented to remove triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

Consequently, US tariffs on Chinese goods incurring an added 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the Chinese market incur a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – published by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of official answers to journalist’s questions – echoed rhetoric from the zenith of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced US export restrictions on electronic components while justifying China’s own export controls on key elements as “routine measures” to safeguard state interests and that of the global community.

The spokesperson remarked that for “a long time”, the US had “broadened the definition” of domestic safety, abused overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” biased policies against Beijing.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the proper method to engage with China,” the spokesperson commented.

“China’s position on a trade conflict has always been unchanging: we do not want one, but we are fearless of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government declared it was strengthening overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and other materials vital for high-technology production.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the nation processes about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are used in goods such as solar panels and smartphones.

Latest statements from the US and China are being interpreted by some as a means of strengthening positions ahead of upcoming negotiations.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between Donald Trump and President Xi, scheduled at a high-level meeting in Seoul later this month, will still proceed.