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Donald Trump’s newest warning to enforce an further complete levy on Chinese goods has been labeled a “prime illustration” of American hypocrisy, per the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that the nation could implement its own unrevealed “retaliatory steps” if the US President carries out his warning, adding that the country was “unafraid” of a looming trade conflict.

On Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at China’s decision to strengthen its regulations for overseas sales of critical elements, accusing Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

He also threatened to pull out of a scheduled summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was arranged for a summit in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on that day shook stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 dropping nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since April.

His comments revived concerns of a trade conflict between the US and China.

In May, the respective governments had agreed to remove triple-digit tariffs on each other’s products, which had led to concerns of commerce ceasing between the economic powers.

As a result, US tariffs on Chinese imports facing an extra import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering China are subject to a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of formal replies to media inquiries – mirrored terminology from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

They criticised United States controls on electronic components while justifying Beijing’s restrictions on exports on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to ensure domestic safety and that of all nations.

Their representative remarked that for “many years”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, exploited export control measures and “adopted discriminatory practices against China.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the correct approach to deal with the Chinese government,” their representative stated.

“Beijing’s stance” on a trade conflict has always been consistent: we are not seeking one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Recently, Beijing revealed it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and other materials essential to high-technology production.

This was seen as a key move, as the nation refines about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are employed in goods such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

The recent comments from both governments are being seen by observers as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of forthcoming discussions.

Remains uncertain whether a talks between the former president and Xi Jinping, expected at a conference in Seoul later this month, will still proceed.