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Trump’s newest ultimatum to enforce an extra full import duty on products from China has been labeled a “typical example” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that China could enact its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the American leader carries out his warning, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a possible trade conflict.

On Friday, Donald Trump hit back at China’s decision to tighten its policies for foreign shipments of rare earths, accusing Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “hostage”.

Furthermore, he vowed to pull out of a planned summit with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a summit in the Republic of Korea later this month.

The former president’s remarks on that day rattled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index closing down nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

His comments renewed concerns of a trade war between the two economic giants.

Earlier this year, the respective governments had agreed to drop high import duties on each other’s products, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the economic powers.

Consequently, American import duties on Chinese imports incurring an added 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering the Chinese market incur a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – released by the relevant government department in the format of written responses to press queries – reflected language from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced United States controls on electronic components while defending the country’s own export controls on rare earths as “standard procedures” to ensure state interests and that of the global community.

The spokesperson remarked that for “an extended period”, the US had “overstretched the concept of state security, exploited overseas sale restrictions and “enforced” biased policies against China.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the correct approach to deal with China,” the official commented.

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has remained steady: we are not seeking one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government announced it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on rare earths and further resources vital for cutting-edge industry.

This was seen as a key move, as the state processes about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are employed in products such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

The recent comments from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by analysts as a strategy of strengthening positions ahead of upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between Donald Trump and China’s leader, expected at a summit in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.