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Trump’s most recent ultimatum to impose an additional complete levy on items imported from China has been labeled a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry also stated that the nation could enact its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the American leader carries out his threat, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a looming trade conflict.

On Friday, the former president retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its policies for overseas sales of critical elements, accusing China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “hostage”.

He also warned to cancel a scheduled summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a meeting in South Korea in the coming weeks.

His statements on that day unsettled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index falling by 2.7%, marking its largest decline since April.

His comments revived fears of a trade conflict between the United States and China.

In May, the respective governments had agreed to drop significant levies on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the economic powers.

This left, US tariffs on Chinese goods facing an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the country incur a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of official answers to press queries – echoed terminology from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

They criticised American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while supporting the country’s own restrictions on exports on rare earths as “standard procedures” to safeguard domestic safety and that of all nations.

Their representative said that for “an extended period”, the America had “broadened the definition” of domestic safety, abused foreign shipment regulations and “adopted unfair treatments against Beijing.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the right way to interact with Beijing,” the spokesperson said.

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

The previous week, the Chinese government revealed it was strengthening overseas sale regulations on rare earths and further resources vital for high-technology production.

This was seen as a important measure, as the state processes about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in products such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

The recent comments from the US and China are being interpreted by observers as a method of strengthening positions in preparation for future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a talks between Trump and President Xi, planned at a conference in South Korea later this month, will go ahead.