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Donald Trump’s latest warning to introduce an extra complete levy on Chinese goods has been described as a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Chinese government.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that the nation could implement its own unrevealed “responsive actions” if the White House occupant carries out his pledge, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a potential commercial battle.

On Friday, Trump responded at Beijing’s move to reinforce its regulations for overseas sales of critical elements, accusing the Chinese leadership of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

Furthermore, he warned to withdraw from a scheduled summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was expected to take place during a summit in South Korea before the month ends.

Trump’s comments on Friday rattled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index closing down 2.7%, marking its largest decline since April.

These statements reignited concerns of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

In May, the respective governments had reached an agreement to drop triple-digit tariffs on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the economic powers.

As a result, American import duties on products from China facing an extra import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market incur a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – released by the Commerce Ministry in the form of formal replies to press queries – echoed rhetoric from the height of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while justifying the country’s own export controls on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to protect domestic safety and that of the global community.

Their representative stated that for “many years”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, exploited overseas sale restrictions and “adopted discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

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

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war has consistently been consistent: we are not seeking one, but we are fearless of one.”

Last week, the Chinese government announced it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and further resources critical for cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the country processes about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are employed in products such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

The recent comments from Washington and Beijing are being seen by some as a strategy of strengthening positions prior to upcoming negotiations.

It is unclear whether a talks between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, planned at a conference in South Korea later this month, will go ahead.