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Trump’s newest threat to impose an further full import duty on products from China has been described as a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the China’s leadership.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that Beijing could enact its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the US President carries out his pledge, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a looming trade conflict.

On Friday, Trump responded at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its rules for exports of rare earth minerals, alleging the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “hostage”.

Additionally, he threatened to pull out of a arranged meeting with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was arranged for a summit in Seoul later this month.

Trump’s comments on Friday rattled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index dropping 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

His comments renewed fears of a commercial dispute between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the both nations had consented to remove triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

As a result, US tariffs on Chinese goods facing an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering China are subject to a 10% tariff.

The most recent comments from China – released by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of official answers to media inquiries – reflected terminology from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced United States controls on semiconductors and chips while supporting China’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to protect domestic safety and that of the global community.

The official said that for “a long time”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, abused foreign shipment regulations and “adopted unfair treatments against China.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the right way to deal with Beijing,” their representative said.

“China’s position on a tariff war has remained unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Last week, the Chinese government revealed it was strengthening overseas sale regulations on key elements and additional substances vital for cutting-edge industry.

This was seen as a significant step, as the nation handles about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in items such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being interpreted by analysts as a strategy of strengthening positions prior to future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between the former president and China’s leader, expected at a high-level meeting in Seoul later this month, will take place as planned.