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The former US president’s newest warning to introduce an additional full import duty on products from China has been labeled a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that Beijing could implement its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the American leader executes his pledge, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a looming trade war.

This past Friday, the former president hit back at Beijing’s move to reinforce its regulations for exports of critical elements, charging Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

Furthermore, he threatened to cancel a arranged summit with Chinese leader Xi, which was set for a meeting in the Republic of Korea later this month.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday shook global markets, with the S&P 500 share index closing down nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

These statements reignited apprehensions of a trade war between the United States and China.

This past spring, the both nations had reached an agreement to remove significant levies on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of commerce ceasing between the two nations.

This left, United States levies on Chinese imports incurring an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering the country incur a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – released by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of formal replies to media inquiries – mirrored language from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised US export restrictions on electronic components while supporting China’s own overseas sale regulations on key elements as “normal actions” to protect national security and that of the global community.

Their representative stated that for “an extended period”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, abused foreign shipment regulations and “enforced” biased policies against the Chinese nation.

“Using” trade levy ultimatums is not the right way to deal with China,” the official stated.

“China’s position on a tariff war has remained unchanging: we are not seeking one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Last week, Beijing revealed it was strengthening overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and other materials critical for cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the nation handles about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are utilized in items such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

New remarks from both governments are being seen by analysts as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a summit between the former president and Xi Jinping, planned at a conference in South Korea later this month, will go ahead.