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The former US president’s most recent ultimatum to impose an further full import duty on products from China has been called a “typical example” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the Chinese government.

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

Last Friday, the former president hit back at Beijing’s move to strengthen its rules for exports of rare earths, charging the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the world “captive”.

Additionally, he vowed to cancel a planned talks with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a conference in the Republic of Korea later this month.

Trump’s comments on Friday shook global markets, with the S&P 500 dropping 2.7%, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

These statements reignited fears of a commercial dispute between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the both nations had reached an agreement to drop significant levies on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of commerce ceasing between the economic powers.

As a result, US tariffs on products from China facing an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering the country incur a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – released by the relevant government department in the form of formal replies to journalist’s questions – reflected rhetoric from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

The remarks condemned United States controls on electronic components while supporting the country’s own export controls on rare earths as “normal actions” to protect state interests and that of every country.

Their representative said that for “an extended period”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of state security, misused export control measures and “adopted discriminatory practices against Beijing.

“Using” trade levy ultimatums is not the right way to deal with the Chinese government,” the spokesperson commented.

“China’s position on a trade conflict has consistently been unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Recently, Beijing announced it was strengthening export controls on rare earths and other materials vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the state handles about 90% of the planet’s critical minerals, which are utilized in products such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

Latest statements from the US and China are being seen by observers as a method of enhancing bargaining power ahead of future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a summit between Donald Trump and China’s leader, scheduled at a conference in South Korea later this month, will go ahead.