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The former US president’s most recent threat to introduce an further full import duty on Chinese goods has been described as a “classic case” of American hypocrisy, per the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that Beijing could introduce its own unrevealed “responsive actions” if the White House occupant carries out his pledge, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a possible commercial battle.

On Friday, Trump retaliated at Beijing’s move to tighten its regulations for exports of critical elements, accusing China of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “hostage”.

Additionally, he vowed to pull out of a arranged talks with China’s President Xi, which was expected to take place during a summit in South Korea later this month.

His statements on last Friday rattled financial markets, with the S&P 500 dropping nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

These statements reignited fears of a trade conflict between the two economic giants.

Earlier this year, the two sides had consented to remove high import duties on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the two countries.

Consequently, United States levies on products from China incurring an additional 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the country face a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of official answers to journalist’s questions – mirrored rhetoric from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

They criticised American limits on exports on electronic components while justifying Beijing’s overseas sale regulations on key elements as “routine measures” to safeguard domestic safety and that of every country.

Their representative stated that for “an extended period”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, misused export control measures and “implemented” biased policies against the Chinese nation.

“Using” trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to deal with the Chinese government,” the official said.

“Beijing’s stance” on a import duty dispute has consistently been unchanging: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, Beijing declared it was strengthening overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and additional substances essential to cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a important measure, as the country processes about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in goods such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being interpreted by some as a means of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a talks between the former president and Xi Jinping, expected at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.