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Trump’s newest warning to impose an extra full import duty on items imported from China has been labeled a “classic case” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A representative of the ministry further commented that the nation could introduce its own unrevealed “countermeasures” if the American leader executes his warning, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a looming trade war.

On Friday, the former president hit back at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its regulations for exports of rare earths, alleging China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “hostage”.

Furthermore, he vowed to pull out of a arranged meeting with Chinese leader President Xi, which was expected to take place during a conference in the Republic of Korea before the month ends.

The former president’s remarks on Friday rattled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index closing down nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since April.

The president’s words reignited apprehensions of a trade conflict between the US and China.

This past spring, the two sides had reached an agreement to remove significant levies on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the economic powers.

This left, United States levies on Chinese imports incurring an additional thirty percent tariff 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 manner of written responses to media inquiries – echoed language from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

They criticised American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while supporting Beijing’s restrictions on exports on key elements as “normal actions” to safeguard national security and that of all nations.

Their representative said that for “a long time”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, abused export control measures and “implemented” biased policies against Beijing.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the correct approach to engage with China,” the spokesperson commented.

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war has consistently been unchanging: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Recently, China announced it was tightening overseas sale regulations on key elements and further resources essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the nation refines about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are used in items such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

Latest statements from the US and China are being seen by observers as a means of enhancing bargaining power in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a summit between Donald Trump and China’s leader, scheduled at a summit in South Korea before month’s end, will go ahead.