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The former US president’s latest ultimatum to enforce an further complete levy on items imported from China has been called a “typical example” of American hypocrisy, per the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that the nation could introduce its own unrevealed “countermeasures” if the White House occupant carries out his threat, adding that the country was “fearless” of a possible trade conflict.

On Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at Beijing’s move to reinforce its rules for exports of rare earths, alleging China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

Furthermore, he threatened to cancel a scheduled talks with China’s President Xi, which was expected to take place during a summit in South Korea later this month.

His statements on that day shook global markets, with the benchmark US stock index closing down over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since last spring.

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

In May, the respective governments had consented to drop high import duties on each other’s products, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

As a result, US tariffs on Chinese imports incurring an added import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering China incur a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – published by the Commerce Ministry in the format of formal replies to press queries – mirrored terminology from the peak of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned United States controls on chips and semi-conductors while defending Beijing’s overseas sale regulations on key elements as “standard procedures” to protect national security and that of the global community.

The spokesperson said that for “an extended period”, the United States had “broadened the definition” of national security, abused export control measures and “enforced” discriminatory practices against China.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to interact with Beijing,” the official commented.

“China’s position on a trade conflict has consistently been unchanging: we are not seeking one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Recently, China declared it was tightening export controls on key elements and additional substances vital for cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the country handles about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are used in goods such as solar panels and mobile phones.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being interpreted by observers as a method of strengthening positions ahead of upcoming negotiations.

Remains uncertain whether a talks between the former president and Xi Jinping, expected at a conference in South Korea in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.