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The former US president’s latest warning to introduce an additional complete levy on items imported from China has been described as a “typical example” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the Chinese government.

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that Beijing could implement its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the American leader carries out his threat, adding that the country was “unafraid” of a possible commercial battle.

This past Friday, the former president responded at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its regulations for foreign shipments of rare earths, alleging Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

Furthermore, he warned to cancel a scheduled meeting with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was set for a meeting in Seoul in the coming weeks.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday shook global markets, with the benchmark US stock index falling by nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since April.

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

Earlier this year, the both nations had consented to remove high import duties on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the two nations.

Consequently, US tariffs on Chinese goods incurring an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market are subject to a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the relevant government department in the form of written responses to media inquiries – echoed language from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on chips and semi-conductors while supporting the country’s own export controls on key elements as “normal actions” to safeguard domestic safety and that of every country.

The official stated that for “a long time”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, abused export control measures and “adopted biased policies against China.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the proper method to engage with Beijing,” their representative said.

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

The previous week, the Chinese government announced it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and other materials vital for high-technology production.

This was seen as a significant step, as the nation processes about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in items such as solar panels and mobile phones.

New remarks from the US and China are being interpreted by observers as a method of bolstering negotiating stances prior to upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between Trump and President Xi, expected at a conference in South Korea in the coming weeks, will still proceed.