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The former US president’s most recent ultimatum to introduce an extra complete levy on items imported from China has been described as a “classic case” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that China could implement its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the US President carries out his threat, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a potential trade conflict.

This past Friday, Trump retaliated at China’s decision to tighten its policies for overseas sales of critical elements, charging Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

Furthermore, he vowed to pull out of a arranged meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a summit in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

His statements on that day shook financial markets, with the S&P 500 dropping nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

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

In May, the both nations had reached an agreement to remove significant levies on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

Consequently, US tariffs on Chinese goods incurring an additional import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market are subject to a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of official answers to media inquiries – reflected rhetoric from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on electronic components while justifying China’s own restrictions on exports on key elements as “routine measures” to safeguard state interests and that of the global community.

The official said that for “a long time”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, abused export control measures and “adopted discriminatory practices against Beijing.

“Turning to” trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to deal with Beijing,” the spokesperson stated.

“Beijing’s stance” on a import duty dispute has always been consistent: we are not seeking one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Last week, China announced it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on rare earths and other materials essential to high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the country processes about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are utilized in goods such as renewable energy components and mobile phones.

The recent comments from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by analysts as a method of enhancing bargaining power prior to forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a talks between the former president and China’s leader, scheduled at a summit in South Korea before month’s end, will still proceed.