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The former US president’s newest threat to enforce an further complete levy on items imported from China has been called a “prime illustration” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that the nation could enact its own unrevealed “responsive actions” if the White House occupant follows through on his warning, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a potential trade war.

Last Friday, Donald Trump hit back at Beijing’s move to tighten its policies for exports of critical elements, accusing the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

Additionally, he vowed to cancel a scheduled meeting with China’s President Xi, which was arranged for a conference in South Korea in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on that day shook global markets, with the S&P 500 share index dropping over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since April.

These statements renewed fears of a trade war between the two economic giants.

In May, the respective governments had agreed to drop significant levies on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

Consequently, United States levies on Chinese goods facing an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering the country face a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – released by the Ministry of Commerce in the format of official answers to journalist’s questions – reflected language from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised United States controls on semiconductors and chips while defending the country’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “normal actions” to protect domestic safety and that of every country.

Their representative said that for “a long time”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, abused export control measures and “adopted unfair treatments against China.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the right way to engage with China,” their representative commented.

“Beijing’s stance” on a trade conflict has consistently been steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Last week, China announced it was tightening overseas sale regulations on key elements and additional substances critical for advanced tech manufacturing.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the state processes about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in items such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

Latest statements from the US and China are being viewed by analysts as a means of strengthening positions prior to upcoming negotiations.

It is unclear whether a talks between Donald Trump and China’s leader, expected at a conference in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will go ahead.