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Donald Trump’s most recent warning to introduce an further complete levy on Chinese goods has been called a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the Chinese government.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that Beijing could introduce its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the American leader executes his pledge, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a potential trade war.

On Friday, the former president retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its regulations for overseas sales of critical elements, charging Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

Furthermore, he threatened to pull out of a scheduled meeting with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was arranged for a meeting in Seoul later this month.

Trump’s comments on that day rattled financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index dropping nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

These statements revived concerns of a commercial dispute between the two economic giants.

Earlier this year, the two sides had agreed to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

This left, United States levies on Chinese imports incurring an added import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the Chinese market are subject to a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the format of formal replies to journalist’s questions – mirrored language from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while justifying Beijing’s overseas sale regulations on key elements as “standard procedures” to safeguard national security and that of the global community.

Their representative said that for “an extended period”, the US had “broadened the definition” of national security, misused overseas sale restrictions and “adopted unfair treatments against China.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the proper method to engage with the Chinese government,” the official stated.

“China’s position on a trade conflict has always been steady: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Recently, China announced it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and other materials vital for cutting-edge industry.

This was seen as a significant step, as the nation processes about 90% of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in items such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being interpreted by analysts as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances prior to future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a talks between Trump and President Xi, scheduled at a summit in South Korea later this month, will go ahead.