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Donald Trump’s latest ultimatum to impose an extra full import duty on items imported from China has been described as a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that Beijing could implement its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the US President executes his warning, adding that the country was “fearless” of a possible trade conflict.

This past Friday, Donald Trump responded at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its regulations for foreign shipments of rare earths, charging China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

Additionally, he threatened to withdraw from a arranged talks with Chinese leader President Xi, which was arranged for a meeting in Seoul in the coming weeks.

His statements on last Friday shook financial markets, with the S&P 500 falling by 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since April.

These statements renewed concerns of a commercial dispute between the US and China.

In May, the two sides had consented to remove triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of commerce ceasing between the two countries.

This left, American import duties on Chinese goods subject to an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the Chinese market face a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the form of official answers to journalist’s questions – mirrored terminology from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on electronic components while defending Beijing’s restrictions on exports on key elements as “routine measures” to safeguard national security and that of every country.

Their representative remarked that for “a long time”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, abused foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” biased policies against China.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the proper method to engage with Beijing,” the spokesperson stated.

“The nation’s view” on a import duty dispute has consistently been unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government declared it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and other materials vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a important measure, as the nation processes about 90% of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in products such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

The recent comments from both governments are being viewed by some as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a talks between the former president and Xi Jinping, expected at a summit in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will go ahead.