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Donald Trump’s most recent warning to introduce an additional full import duty on products from China has been described as a “prime illustration” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that China could enact its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the American leader carries out his warning, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a potential trade war.

This past Friday, Donald Trump hit back at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its regulations for exports of critical elements, charging the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “hostage”.

He also vowed to pull out of a arranged meeting with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was set for a meeting in the Republic of Korea before the month ends.

The former president’s remarks on Friday unsettled financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index closing down over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since April.

His comments reignited fears of a commercial dispute between the two economic giants.

Earlier this year, the respective governments had reached an agreement to drop triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the economic powers.

This left, US tariffs on products from China subject to an additional import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering China face a import levy.

The most recent comments from China – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of formal replies to press queries – echoed terminology from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while defending China’s own restrictions on exports on key elements as “normal actions” to safeguard national security and that of all nations.

The official remarked that for “many years”, the America had “broadened the definition” of national security, abused foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the correct approach to interact with China,” their representative stated.

“The nation’s view” on a tariff war has always been unchanging: we are not seeking one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Recently, China declared it was strengthening export controls on rare earths and further resources critical for cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the state refines about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in goods such as solar panels and handheld devices.

New remarks from the US and China are being seen by observers as a method of enhancing bargaining power in preparation for upcoming negotiations.

It is unclear whether a talks between Trump and Xi Jinping, planned at a summit in South Korea before month’s end, will still proceed.