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Trump’s latest ultimatum to introduce an further complete levy on products from China has been called a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the China’s leadership.

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that China could introduce its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant executes his warning, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a possible trade conflict.

This past Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at Beijing’s move to tighten its regulations for foreign shipments of critical elements, charging Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

Furthermore, he threatened to cancel a arranged meeting with Beijing’s head of state 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 unsettled financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index falling by nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since April.

These statements revived concerns of a commercial dispute between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the two sides had reached an agreement to remove triple-digit tariffs on each other’s goods, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

Consequently, American import duties on products from China subject to an added import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering China face a import levy.

The most recent comments from China – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the format of written responses to journalist’s questions – reflected language from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised United States controls on electronic components while supporting the country’s own restrictions on exports on key elements as “standard procedures” to ensure national security and that of every country.

Their representative remarked that for “many years”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, misused foreign shipment regulations and “adopted biased policies against Beijing.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the correct approach to interact with the Chinese government,” their representative commented.

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war has remained consistent: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, Beijing announced it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and further resources essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a important measure, as the nation refines about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are utilized in items such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

New remarks from both governments are being viewed by some as a means of strengthening positions prior to upcoming negotiations.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between Donald Trump and China’s leader, scheduled at a high-level meeting in Seoul later this month, will take place as planned.