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Donald Trump’s latest ultimatum to impose an further complete levy on items imported from China has been labeled a “typical example” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A representative of the ministry also stated that China could enact its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the White House occupant carries out his pledge, noting that the country was “fearless” of a potential trade war.

On Friday, the former president responded at Beijing’s move to reinforce its regulations for exports of rare earth minerals, charging China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

Additionally, he threatened to pull out of a planned summit with Chinese leader Xi, which was expected to take place during a conference in Seoul before the month ends.

The former president’s remarks on that day rattled global markets, with the S&P 500 dropping over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since last spring.

These statements reignited concerns of a trade war between the United States and China.

In May, the respective governments had agreed to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the two nations.

This left, United States levies on Chinese imports subject to an added thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering China are subject to a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – released by the relevant government department in the manner of official answers to media inquiries – echoed terminology from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced United States controls on chips and semi-conductors while justifying the country’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earths as “routine measures” to protect state interests and that of the global community.

The official stated that for “a long time”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, misused export control measures and “enforced” biased policies against the Chinese nation.

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

“China’s position on a trade conflict has always been unchanging: we do not want one, but we are fearless of one.”

Last week, China announced it was tightening export controls on rare earth minerals and other materials essential to high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the country refines about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in products such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being seen by analysts as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances prior to future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a talks between the former president and President Xi, expected at a summit in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will still proceed.