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The former US president’s latest warning to introduce an further complete levy on products from China has been called a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the Chinese government.

A representative of the ministry further commented that the nation could implement its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the White House occupant follows through on his warning, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a possible commercial battle.

Last Friday, the former president responded at Beijing’s move to tighten its policies for foreign shipments of critical elements, charging China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

Additionally, he threatened to withdraw from a planned summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was expected to take place during a summit in Seoul in the coming weeks.

His statements on Friday unsettled global markets, with the S&P 500 share index closing down over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

These statements renewed fears of a commercial dispute between the two economic giants.

In May, the respective governments had agreed to drop high import duties on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the two countries.

This left, American import duties on products from China subject to an extra import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the Chinese market face a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the relevant government department in the manner of written responses to press queries – echoed terminology from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised US export restrictions on electronic components while justifying Beijing’s export controls on rare earths as “normal actions” to safeguard state interests and that of the global community.

Their representative said that for “many years”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, misused overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” biased policies against Beijing.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the correct approach to deal with Beijing,” their representative stated.

“The nation’s view” on a import duty dispute has consistently been consistent: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Last week, Beijing revealed it was tightening overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and additional substances vital for high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the country handles about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in products such as solar panels and handheld devices.

Latest statements from the US and China are being viewed by some as a means of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between Trump and Xi Jinping, expected at a high-level meeting in Seoul later this month, will take place as planned.