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Donald Trump’s latest ultimatum to enforce an extra complete levy on items imported from China has been labeled a “classic case” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that the nation could implement its own unrevealed “countermeasures” if the American leader executes his threat, adding that the country was “fearless” of a possible commercial battle.

This past Friday, Trump responded at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its rules for overseas sales of critical elements, accusing Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “hostage”.

Furthermore, he vowed to cancel a scheduled summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a conference in Seoul before the month ends.

The former president’s remarks on Friday unsettled financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index closing down over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

His comments reignited concerns of a commercial dispute between the two economic giants.

This past spring, the both nations had consented to eliminate high import duties on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the two countries.

As a result, US tariffs on Chinese goods subject to an additional 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering the country face a import levy.

The most recent comments from China – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the format of formal replies to journalist’s questions – reflected rhetoric from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on electronic components while defending the country’s own export controls on rare earths as “routine measures” to ensure state interests and that of every country.

Their representative remarked that for “a long time”, the US had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, misused export control measures and “implemented” discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Turning to” import duty warnings is not the right way to engage with Beijing,” their representative said.

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has remained consistent: we are not seeking one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Recently, Beijing announced it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and further resources vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a key move, as the nation refines about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in goods such as renewable energy components and mobile phones.

Latest statements from the US and China are being viewed by analysts as a method of enhancing bargaining power prior to future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a talks between Trump and China’s leader, planned at a conference in Seoul before month’s end, will take place as planned.