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Trump’s latest warning to introduce an extra full import duty on Chinese goods has been labeled a “classic case” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the Chinese government.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry also stated that Beijing could enact its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the US President follows through on his warning, adding that the country was “unafraid” of a looming trade conflict.

Last Friday, the former president responded at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its rules for foreign shipments of rare earths, charging the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

Furthermore, he warned to pull out of a planned meeting with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was set for a meeting in South Korea later this month.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday unsettled stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index falling by over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

The president’s words renewed apprehensions of a trade conflict between the United States and China.

Earlier this year, the respective governments had agreed to remove significant levies on each other’s products, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the economic powers.

As a result, US tariffs on Chinese imports subject to an extra 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market incur a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – released by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of official answers to press queries – echoed language from the zenith of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced United States controls on chips and semi-conductors while supporting Beijing’s restrictions on exports on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to protect domestic safety and that of the global community.

The spokesperson said that for “a long time”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, abused export control measures and “enforced” unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the proper method to interact with China,” the official said.

“The nation’s view” on a tariff war has consistently been steady: we do not want one, but we are fearless of one.”

Last week, China revealed it was strengthening export controls on key elements and further resources vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the nation refines about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are used in items such as renewable energy components and mobile phones.

The recent comments from both governments are being seen by observers as a strategy of strengthening positions in preparation for upcoming negotiations.

It is unclear whether a summit between Trump and President Xi, planned at a conference in the Republic of Korea later this month, will go ahead.