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Donald Trump’s most recent threat to introduce an further complete levy on products from China has been described as a “typical example” of American hypocrisy, per the Chinese government.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that the nation could introduce its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the US President carries out his threat, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a potential trade war.

Last Friday, the former president hit back at Beijing’s move to reinforce its regulations for exports of rare earth minerals, accusing the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

Furthermore, he threatened to cancel a scheduled meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a summit in the Republic of Korea before the month ends.

The former president’s remarks on that day rattled financial markets, with the S&P 500 falling by over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since last spring.

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

This past spring, the two sides had reached an agreement to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the economic powers.

As a result, United States levies on Chinese imports subject to an added import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering China incur a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of written responses to journalist’s questions – reflected terminology from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on electronic components while supporting China’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to ensure national security and that of every country.

Their representative said that for “an extended period”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of state security, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” discriminatory practices against China.

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

“China’s position on a trade conflict has consistently been unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, Beijing declared it was reinforcing export controls on rare earth minerals and additional substances vital for cutting-edge industry.

This was seen as a important measure, as the country refines about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are used in products such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

Latest statements from the US and China are being seen by observers as a means of strengthening positions in preparation for future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a meeting between the former president and President Xi, planned at a conference in Seoul before month’s end, will take place as planned.