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The former US president’s latest threat to enforce an additional complete levy on items imported from China has been described as a “typical example” of American hypocrisy, according to the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that Beijing could enact its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the US President carries out his warning, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a looming commercial battle.

On Friday, Donald Trump hit back at China’s decision to tighten its policies for overseas sales of critical elements, charging the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “hostage”.

Furthermore, he threatened to cancel a scheduled talks with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was expected to take place during a meeting in South Korea later this month.

His statements on last Friday unsettled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index dropping 2.7%, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

The president’s words revived apprehensions of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

This past spring, the two sides had agreed to drop high import duties on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

As a result, American import duties on products from China subject to an extra 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering the Chinese market are subject to a 10% tariff.

The most recent comments from China – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of formal replies to press queries – mirrored terminology from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on electronic components while defending the country’s own export controls on rare earths as “normal actions” to ensure national security and that of the global community.

The spokesperson stated that for “many years”, the America had “broadened the definition” of national security, abused export control measures and “implemented” unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the right way to engage with Beijing,” the official stated.

“China’s position on a tariff war has consistently been consistent: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Last week, the Chinese government declared it was tightening overseas sale regulations on key elements and additional substances vital for high-technology production.

This was seen as a key move, as the country handles about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in goods such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

Latest statements from the US and China are being interpreted by some as a method of enhancing bargaining power in preparation for upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a talks between Donald Trump and China’s leader, expected at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will take place as planned.