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Donald Trump’s most recent ultimatum to introduce an extra complete levy on items imported from China has been described as a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that the nation could implement its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the US President executes his threat, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a potential trade war.

Last Friday, Trump responded at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its rules for foreign shipments of rare earths, accusing China of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “captive”.

Additionally, he warned to withdraw from a arranged summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a meeting in South Korea before the month ends.

Trump’s comments on last Friday shook financial markets, with the S&P 500 closing down over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since last spring.

These statements renewed concerns of a commercial dispute between the two economic giants.

In May, the respective governments had reached an agreement to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

As a result, American import duties on Chinese goods incurring an extra 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering China face a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – published by the Commerce Ministry in the format of formal replies to media inquiries – echoed rhetoric from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned United States controls on electronic components while justifying Beijing’s export controls on rare earths as “routine measures” to protect national security and that of the global community.

The official stated that for “many years”, the US had “broadened the definition” of state security, misused export control measures and “enforced” unfair treatments against Beijing.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to deal with China,” their representative said.

“Beijing’s stance” on a trade conflict has always been steady: we are not seeking one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Last week, China announced it was reinforcing export controls on rare earth minerals and further resources critical for advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a important measure, as the state processes about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are used in goods such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

New remarks from the US and China are being seen by observers as a means of enhancing bargaining power in preparation for future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a summit between Trump and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a summit in the Republic of Korea later this month, will take place as planned.