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Donald Trump’s latest ultimatum to impose an further full import duty on products from China has been called a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that China could enact its own unrevealed “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant executes his pledge, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a possible trade conflict.

Last Friday, Trump retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its rules for foreign shipments of critical elements, accusing the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

He also warned to pull out of a scheduled meeting with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was set for a conference in South Korea before the month ends.

Trump’s comments on that day shook stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index dropping nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

His comments renewed fears of a trade war between the United States and China.

Earlier this year, the two sides had reached an agreement to drop high import duties on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

Consequently, United States levies on products from China subject to an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering China incur a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – released by the Commerce Ministry in the format of written responses to press queries – reflected language from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced United States controls on semiconductors and chips while justifying the country’s own restrictions on exports on rare earths as “normal actions” to protect state interests and that of the global community.

Their representative stated that for “a long time”, the US had “overstretched the concept of national security, exploited export control measures and “enforced” discriminatory practices against Beijing.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the right way to deal with China,” their representative commented.

“The nation’s view” on a trade conflict has remained unchanging: we are not seeking one, but we are fearless of one.”

The previous week, China declared it was strengthening export controls on rare earths and other materials essential to high-technology production.

This was seen as a important measure, as the state refines about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are employed in items such as solar panels and smartphones.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by observers as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power prior to upcoming negotiations.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between the former president and Xi Jinping, planned at a summit in Seoul in the coming weeks, will still proceed.