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Donald Trump’s most recent ultimatum to introduce an extra full import duty on products from China has been called a “classic case” of American hypocrisy, per the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry also stated that Beijing could implement its own unrevealed “countermeasures” if the US President executes his threat, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a potential trade conflict.

On Friday, the former president retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its rules for exports of rare earths, accusing China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

Furthermore, he vowed to withdraw from a planned summit with Chinese leader President Xi, which was set for a meeting in Seoul later this month.

His statements on Friday rattled financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index dropping nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since April.

These statements revived concerns of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

Earlier this year, the respective governments had reached an agreement to eliminate significant levies on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the two nations.

This left, American import duties on Chinese goods subject to an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering the country incur a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the Commerce Ministry in the form of written responses to media inquiries – mirrored language from the height of the recent trade conflict.

Officials denounced United States controls on chips and semi-conductors while justifying Beijing’s export controls on rare earths as “routine measures” to ensure state interests and that of all nations.

The spokesperson said that for “a long time”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, exploited overseas sale restrictions and “adopted unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the right way to engage with the Chinese government,” the spokesperson stated.

“The nation’s view” on a import duty dispute has always been unchanging: we are not seeking one, but we are fearless of one.”

Recently, the Chinese government announced it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and other materials essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the country handles about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in goods such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

The recent comments from both governments are being interpreted by analysts as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power ahead of forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a summit between Donald Trump and President Xi, scheduled at a conference in South Korea before month’s end, will take place as planned.