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Donald Trump’s latest warning to introduce an extra complete levy on items imported from China has been described as a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that China could implement its own unrevealed “countermeasures” if the American leader carries out his threat, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a looming trade war.

Last Friday, the former president hit back at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its rules for foreign shipments of critical elements, accusing the Chinese leadership of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

Furthermore, he vowed to pull out of a planned talks with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a summit in South Korea before the month ends.

His statements on last Friday unsettled financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index falling by over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since April.

His comments renewed concerns of a trade war between the United States and China.

This past spring, the two sides had reached an agreement to drop triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of commerce ceasing between the two countries.

As a result, US tariffs on Chinese goods incurring an additional 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering China are subject to a 10% tariff.

The most recent comments from China – published by the Commerce Ministry in the format of written responses to press queries – reflected rhetoric from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

They criticised American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while supporting the country’s own restrictions on exports on key elements as “normal actions” to protect national security and that of all nations.

The spokesperson said that for “many years”, the US had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, misused foreign shipment regulations and “enforced” biased policies against China.

“Turning to” trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to engage with Beijing,” the official said.

“China’s position on a trade conflict has always been unchanging: we are not seeking one, but we are fearless of one.”

Recently, China declared it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on rare earths and other materials critical for advanced tech manufacturing.

This move was regarded as a significant step, as the state processes about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in products such as renewable energy components and mobile phones.

Latest statements from the US and China are being interpreted by observers as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power in preparation for upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between the former president and Xi Jinping, expected at a summit in the Republic of Korea later this month, will still proceed.