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Donald Trump’s latest ultimatum to impose an further complete levy on items imported from China has been called a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the China’s leadership.

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that Beijing could enact its own unrevealed “countermeasures” if the American leader follows through on his pledge, adding that the country was “unafraid” of a possible trade conflict.

Last Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at Beijing’s move to strengthen its rules for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, accusing China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

He also vowed to cancel a scheduled summit with China’s President President Xi, which was set for a conference in Seoul before the month ends.

His statements on that day unsettled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index dropping nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since April.

The president’s words renewed apprehensions of a commercial dispute between the US and China.

This past spring, the respective governments had consented to remove high import duties on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the two countries.

Consequently, United States levies on products from China incurring an added 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the Chinese market incur a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of written responses to press queries – reflected rhetoric from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while justifying the country’s own restrictions on exports on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to safeguard state interests and that of all nations.

The spokesperson said that for “a long time”, the United States had “broadened the definition” of state security, abused export control measures and “adopted biased policies against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the correct approach to engage with Beijing,” the official stated.

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

The previous week, the Chinese government revealed it was reinforcing export controls on rare earths and other materials vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the country processes about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are utilized in products such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

The recent comments from the US and China are being interpreted by observers as a strategy of strengthening positions in preparation for upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a talks between Donald Trump and China’s leader, expected at a conference in South Korea before month’s end, will go ahead.