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Donald Trump’s newest warning to introduce an further full import duty on items imported from China has been called a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that Beijing could introduce its own unrevealed “retaliatory steps” if the US President carries out his threat, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a possible commercial battle.

This past Friday, the former president hit back at Beijing’s move to tighten its regulations for overseas sales of critical elements, accusing Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “hostage”.

He also vowed to withdraw from a planned talks with Chinese leader Xi, which was expected to take place during a conference in the Republic of Korea before the month ends.

His statements on last Friday shook global markets, with the S&P 500 share index dropping over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since April.

These statements renewed fears of a trade war between the US and China.

This past spring, the respective governments had agreed to eliminate high import duties on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the two countries.

This left, US tariffs on products from China facing an added import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering China incur a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the format of official answers to press queries – mirrored rhetoric from the height of the recent trade conflict.

Officials denounced United States controls on electronic components while defending Beijing’s export controls on rare earths as “normal actions” to ensure domestic safety and that of every country.

The official stated that for “many years”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of national security, misused overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” discriminatory practices against China.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the correct approach to deal with Beijing,” the official stated.

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war has remained unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

Last week, China revealed it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and further resources critical for high-technology production.

The action was viewed as a important measure, as the country handles about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in goods such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by some as a strategy of strengthening positions ahead of upcoming negotiations.

It is unclear whether a talks between the former president and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a conference in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.