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Donald Trump’s newest threat to enforce an extra complete levy on products from China has been described as a “classic case” of American hypocrisy, per the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry also stated that the nation could introduce its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the American leader follows through on his pledge, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a possible trade war.

This past Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at Beijing’s move to tighten its regulations for overseas sales of rare earths, accusing China of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “hostage”.

He also threatened to withdraw from a planned summit with Chinese leader Xi, which was arranged for a conference in South Korea in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on that day unsettled global markets, with the S&P 500 dropping over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

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

This past spring, the both nations had consented to remove triple-digit tariffs on each other’s products, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

This left, United States levies on products from China incurring an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the country are subject to a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of written responses to journalist’s questions – mirrored terminology from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while supporting China’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to ensure state interests and that of every country.

Their representative said that for “a long time”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “adopted unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the right way to interact with China,” the official commented.

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

Recently, Beijing declared it was tightening overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and further resources vital for high-technology production.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the country handles about 90% of the world’s rare earths, which are used in products such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

The recent comments from both governments are being viewed by analysts as a method of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a summit between the former president and President Xi, scheduled at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will still proceed.