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Donald Trump’s most recent warning to enforce an further full import duty on items imported from China has been labeled a “prime illustration” of American hypocrisy, according to the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that China could enact its own unrevealed “retaliatory steps” if the US President carries out his pledge, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a looming trade war.

On Friday, Trump hit back at China’s decision to tighten its policies for foreign shipments of critical elements, accusing Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

Furthermore, he threatened to pull out of a planned talks with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a meeting in Seoul later this month.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday rattled global markets, with the S&P 500 share index falling by 2.7%, marking its largest decline since last spring.

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

Earlier this year, the respective governments had reached an agreement to drop triple-digit tariffs on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the two nations.

As a result, US tariffs on Chinese imports incurring an added import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering the country incur a import levy.

The most recent comments from China – published by the relevant government department in the form of written responses to press queries – echoed terminology from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced United States controls on chips and semi-conductors while defending Beijing’s overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to ensure state interests and that of every country.

The spokesperson remarked that for “an extended period”, the US had “overstretched the concept of national security, misused export control measures and “adopted biased policies against China.

“Using” tariff threats is not the right way to deal with China,” their representative said.

“The nation’s view” on a import duty dispute has remained consistent: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Recently, China revealed it was tightening overseas sale regulations on key elements and additional substances essential to cutting-edge industry.

This was seen as a significant step, as the state processes about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in goods such as solar panels and handheld devices.

The recent comments from both governments are being seen by observers as a method of strengthening positions ahead of upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a summit between Donald Trump and President Xi, expected at a conference in Seoul later this month, will go ahead.