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The former US president’s most recent threat to introduce an further full import duty on items imported from China has been labeled a “prime illustration” of American hypocrisy, per the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that the nation could introduce its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the US President executes his threat, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a possible trade conflict.

Last Friday, Trump responded at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its policies for exports of rare earths, alleging China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “hostage”.

Furthermore, he vowed to pull out of a planned talks with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a conference in South Korea before the month ends.

Trump’s comments on Friday rattled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index falling by nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

These statements revived apprehensions of a trade conflict between the two economic giants.

In May, the respective governments had agreed to remove significant levies on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the two countries.

This left, American import duties on Chinese goods subject to an additional import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering China are subject to a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – published by the relevant government department in the form of official answers to journalist’s questions – reflected terminology from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

Officials denounced US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while defending the country’s own restrictions on exports on rare earths as “standard procedures” to protect national security and that of all nations.

The official stated that for “a long time”, the US had “broadened the definition” of national security, abused overseas sale restrictions and “enforced” biased policies against Beijing.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the proper method to deal with the Chinese government,” the official stated.

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

Last week, China revealed it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and other materials essential to high-technology production.

This was seen as a significant step, as the country handles about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in items such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

The recent comments from both governments are being interpreted by observers as a method of enhancing bargaining power in preparation for upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a talks between Trump and Xi Jinping, planned at a high-level meeting in Seoul in the coming weeks, will still proceed.