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The former US president’s most recent ultimatum to introduce an additional full import duty on items imported from China has been called a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the Chinese government.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that China could enact its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the American leader carries out his threat, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a possible trade conflict.

On Friday, the former president responded at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its regulations for foreign shipments of critical elements, alleging Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

Furthermore, he warned to pull out of a scheduled talks with Chinese leader Xi, which was set for a conference in South Korea before the month ends.

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

The president’s words renewed concerns of a trade war between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the both nations had consented to drop triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the two nations.

Consequently, American import duties on products from China subject to an added thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering the country incur a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the relevant government department in the manner of formal replies to press queries – mirrored terminology from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

They criticised US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while defending Beijing’s restrictions on exports on key elements as “normal actions” to safeguard national security and that of every country.

The spokesperson stated that for “a long time”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “adopted unfair treatments against Beijing.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the correct approach to deal with the Chinese government,” the official said.

“The nation’s view” on a trade conflict has remained steady: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government declared it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earths and additional substances vital for high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the state refines about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are used in products such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

New remarks from both governments are being interpreted by observers as a method of bolstering negotiating stances prior to upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a summit between the former president and China’s leader, expected at a summit in South Korea before month’s end, will go ahead.