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The former US president’s most recent threat to introduce an further complete levy on items imported from China has been described as a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that China could implement its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the US President carries out his pledge, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a potential commercial battle.

This past Friday, the former president retaliated at China’s decision to tighten its policies for foreign shipments of critical elements, charging the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

Additionally, he warned to cancel a scheduled summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was expected to take place during a summit in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

The former president’s remarks on that day unsettled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index dropping over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since April.

His comments reignited concerns of a trade war between the United States and China.

This past spring, the two sides had agreed to eliminate high import duties on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of commerce ceasing between the two nations.

Consequently, American import duties on products from China incurring an additional 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering the country face a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the format of written responses to media inquiries – reflected terminology from the zenith of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced United States controls on electronic components while defending China’s own export controls on rare earths as “normal actions” to protect domestic safety and that of the global community.

The spokesperson stated that for “many years”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of national security, abused foreign shipment regulations and “adopted unfair treatments against China.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the right way to interact with China,” the spokesperson said.

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has remained unchanging: we do not want one, but we are fearless of one.”

Last week, Beijing revealed it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and other materials essential to cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the nation refines about 90% of the world’s rare earths, which are used in items such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

The recent comments from both governments are being viewed by some as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between Donald Trump and China’s leader, planned at a summit in the Republic of Korea later this month, will go ahead.