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Donald Trump’s latest threat to introduce an additional complete levy on items imported from China has been labeled a “prime illustration” of American hypocrisy, per the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that China could introduce its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant carries out his pledge, adding that the country was “fearless” of a looming commercial battle.

This past Friday, Trump responded at China’s decision to strengthen its rules for foreign shipments of critical elements, alleging Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

He also threatened to cancel a planned summit with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was set for a conference in Seoul later this month.

The former president’s remarks on Friday unsettled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index closing down over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

His comments renewed fears of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

In May, the respective governments had consented to eliminate significant levies on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

As a result, United States levies on Chinese imports facing an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering the country are subject to a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of written responses to press queries – mirrored rhetoric from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

The remarks condemned United States controls on chips and semi-conductors while defending China’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to safeguard domestic safety and that of all nations.

The spokesperson said that for “an extended period”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, misused overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” discriminatory practices against Beijing.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the right way to deal with the Chinese government,” their representative said.

“The nation’s view” on a tariff war has always been consistent: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

The previous week, Beijing revealed it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and additional substances essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a key move, as the nation processes about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in products such as solar panels and smartphones.

The recent comments from both governments are being viewed by analysts as a method of strengthening positions ahead of forthcoming discussions.

Remains uncertain whether a talks between Trump and China’s leader, scheduled at a high-level meeting in South Korea in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.