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The former US president’s latest ultimatum to introduce an additional full import duty on products from China has been described as a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that China could implement its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the White House occupant carries out his pledge, adding that the country was “unafraid” of a possible trade conflict.

Last Friday, the former president retaliated at Beijing’s move to tighten its rules for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, charging China of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

Furthermore, he warned to cancel a scheduled summit with China’s President President Xi, which was set for a conference in South Korea before the month ends.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday unsettled financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index falling by nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

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

Earlier this year, the two sides had consented to drop significant levies on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

Consequently, American import duties on Chinese goods subject to an additional 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the Chinese market incur a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the Commerce Ministry in the format of written responses to media inquiries – mirrored language from the peak of the recent trade conflict.

They criticised American limits on exports on electronic components while justifying Beijing’s restrictions on exports on rare earth minerals as “normal actions” to safeguard domestic safety and that of every country.

The official stated that for “a long time”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, misused export control measures and “enforced” unfair treatments against Beijing.

“Using” tariff threats is not the proper method to deal with Beijing,” the official said.

“China’s position on a tariff war has consistently been steady: we do not want one, but we are fearless of one.”

Last week, China declared it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on rare earths and additional substances critical for high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the state processes about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are utilized in products such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being interpreted by observers as a strategy of strengthening positions prior to future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between Trump and China’s leader, scheduled at a conference in South Korea in the coming weeks, will still proceed.