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Donald Trump’s most recent threat to enforce an additional complete levy on Chinese goods has been called a “classic case” of American hypocrisy, per the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that the nation could implement its own unrevealed “retaliatory steps” if the American leader executes his threat, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a potential commercial battle.

This past Friday, Trump retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its policies for overseas sales of rare earths, charging China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

Furthermore, he vowed to withdraw from a scheduled summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a meeting in South Korea before the month ends.

Trump’s comments on that day shook financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index closing down over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

The president’s words revived concerns of a commercial dispute between the two economic giants.

Earlier this year, the both nations had agreed to drop triple-digit tariffs on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the two countries.

As a result, United States levies on Chinese goods incurring an added 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering China incur a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – released by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of formal replies to journalist’s questions – echoed terminology from the height of the recent trade conflict.

Officials denounced US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while defending the country’s own restrictions on exports on key elements as “normal actions” to ensure state interests and that of all nations.

The spokesperson remarked that for “an extended period”, the US had “broadened the definition” of state security, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “enforced” biased policies against Beijing.

“Using” tariff threats is not the proper method to interact with the Chinese government,” the spokesperson stated.

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

Last week, China declared it was reinforcing export controls on rare earths and other materials critical for cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a important measure, 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 Washington and Beijing are being viewed by some as a strategy of strengthening positions prior to forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a summit between the former president and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a conference in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will go ahead.