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The former US president’s newest threat to enforce an further complete levy on products from China has been called a “classic case” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that Beijing could enact its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the US President carries out his pledge, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a potential commercial battle.

On Friday, the former president retaliated at Beijing’s move to tighten its regulations for overseas sales of rare earths, accusing Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

He also vowed to pull out of a arranged meeting with Chinese leader President Xi, which was expected to take place during a meeting in Seoul in the coming weeks.

His statements on that day shook financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index closing down over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

The president’s words reignited concerns of a commercial dispute between the US and China.

In May, the respective governments had consented to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

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

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the format of official answers to media inquiries – reflected rhetoric from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised US export restrictions on electronic components while defending the country’s own overseas sale regulations on key elements as “standard procedures” to protect national security and that of the global community.

The spokesperson stated that for “a long time”, the US had “broadened the definition” of national security, abused foreign shipment regulations and “enforced” unfair treatments against China.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to engage with China,” their representative said.

“Beijing’s stance” on a trade conflict has remained steady: we do not want one, but we are fearless of one.”

Recently, Beijing announced it was tightening overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and other materials essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a key move, as the state refines about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are used in products such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being seen by analysts as a means of strengthening positions ahead of forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a meeting between Donald Trump and President Xi, planned at a conference in South Korea in the coming weeks, will still proceed.