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Donald Trump’s newest threat to enforce an further full import duty on items imported from China has been described as a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that the nation could introduce its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the White House occupant executes his warning, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a potential trade war.

This past Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its policies for exports of rare earths, alleging China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

Additionally, he warned to cancel a scheduled summit with China’s President President Xi, which was set for a conference in the Republic of Korea later this month.

Trump’s comments on Friday unsettled financial markets, with the S&P 500 falling by 2.7%, marking its steepest fall since April.

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

This past spring, the respective governments had consented to eliminate high import duties on each other’s products, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

As a result, US tariffs on Chinese goods subject to an extra 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering the Chinese market incur a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – issued by the relevant government department in the form of official answers to press queries – echoed rhetoric from the zenith of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while defending China’s own export controls on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to ensure state interests and that of the global community.

The spokesperson stated that for “an extended period”, the US had “overstretched the concept of state security, misused foreign shipment regulations and “enforced” unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the proper method to deal with the Chinese government,” their representative stated.

“The nation’s view” on a trade conflict has remained consistent: we wish to avoid one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Last week, Beijing revealed it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and additional substances critical for advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a significant step, as the country refines about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in items such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being seen by analysts as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power ahead of future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a meeting between Donald Trump and President Xi, scheduled at a high-level meeting in Seoul later this month, will take place as planned.