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Trump’s newest threat to introduce an additional full import duty on Chinese goods has been labeled a “typical example” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that China could enact its own unrevealed “countermeasures” if the US President follows through on his pledge, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a looming trade conflict.

This past Friday, Trump retaliated at Beijing’s move to tighten its policies for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, charging China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “hostage”.

Additionally, he threatened to withdraw from a arranged meeting with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a meeting in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

His statements on Friday unsettled financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index dropping 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

His comments renewed concerns of a trade war between the two economic giants.

Earlier this year, the two sides had reached an agreement to drop high import duties on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the two countries.

This left, United States levies on Chinese imports incurring an added thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering China incur a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – released by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of formal replies to media inquiries – mirrored terminology from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

They criticised United States controls on electronic components while defending China’s own export controls on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to protect domestic safety and that of all nations.

The spokesperson remarked that for “an extended period”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of state security, misused overseas sale restrictions and “enforced” unfair treatments against Beijing.

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

“Beijing’s stance” on a import duty dispute has remained consistent: we are not seeking one, but we are fearless of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government announced it was tightening export controls on key elements and other materials critical for advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a important measure, as the country processes about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in goods such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being seen by some as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power ahead of upcoming negotiations.

It is unclear whether a summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, planned at a conference in South Korea before month’s end, will go ahead.