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

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that China could enact its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the American leader follows through on his warning, noting that the country was “fearless” of a possible commercial battle.

Last Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its policies for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, accusing China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

He also vowed to cancel a arranged summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a meeting in the Republic of Korea later this month.

His statements on last Friday unsettled financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index dropping 2.7%, marking its steepest fall since April.

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

Earlier this year, the two sides had reached an agreement to remove significant levies on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the economic powers.

As a result, US tariffs on products from China facing an extra 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering China face a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of official answers to journalist’s questions – echoed rhetoric from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

They criticised US export restrictions on electronic components while supporting China’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to protect state interests and that of every country.

Their representative stated that for “an extended period”, the United States had “broadened the definition” of domestic safety, misused export control measures and “implemented” discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Using” tariff threats is not the right way to interact with Beijing,” the official said.

“The nation’s view” on a trade conflict has always been steady: we are not seeking one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, Beijing declared it was tightening export controls on rare earths and further resources critical for advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a significant step, as the nation handles about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are used in goods such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

The recent comments from the US and China are being viewed by analysts as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power in preparation for upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a summit between Donald Trump and China’s leader, planned at a high-level meeting in Seoul before month’s end, will still proceed.