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The former US president’s newest threat to enforce an further complete levy on products from China has been called a “typical example” of American hypocrisy, according to the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that Beijing could enact its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the US President follows through on his threat, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a possible commercial battle.

On Friday, Donald Trump responded at China’s decision to reinforce its policies for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, accusing the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “hostage”.

Furthermore, he warned to withdraw from a scheduled meeting with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a meeting in South Korea in the coming weeks.

The former president’s remarks on that day shook global markets, with the benchmark US stock index dropping over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since April.

The president’s words revived apprehensions of a trade war between the US and China.

This past spring, the both nations had consented to eliminate significant levies on each other’s products, which had led to concerns of commerce ceasing between the two nations.

As a result, United States levies on products from China subject to an extra 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering China face a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the relevant government department in the manner of formal replies to journalist’s questions – echoed terminology from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while defending Beijing’s restrictions on exports on key elements as “standard procedures” to safeguard state interests and that of every country.

The official remarked that for “many years”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of state security, misused foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” unfair treatments against Beijing.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the correct approach to interact with China,” the official said.

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

Recently, the Chinese government revealed it was tightening overseas sale regulations on rare earths and additional substances essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

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

The recent comments from the US and China are being interpreted by some as a method of bolstering negotiating stances prior to upcoming negotiations.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between Trump and President Xi, expected at a conference in Seoul later this month, will still proceed.