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

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that the nation could enact its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the White House occupant carries out his threat, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a potential commercial battle.

On Friday, the former president retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its policies for foreign shipments of rare earths, charging China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “hostage”.

Furthermore, he vowed to pull out of a planned meeting with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was expected to take place during a summit in South Korea later this month.

His statements on Friday unsettled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index closing down 2.7%, marking its largest decline since April.

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

Earlier this year, the both nations had consented to drop high import duties on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the two nations.

This left, US tariffs on Chinese imports incurring an additional import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering China incur a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – released by the Commerce Ministry in the form of written responses to journalist’s questions – reflected terminology from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while supporting Beijing’s export controls on key elements as “routine measures” to safeguard national security and that of all nations.

The official remarked that for “many years”, the US had “broadened the definition” of national security, exploited overseas sale restrictions and “enforced” biased policies against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the correct approach to engage with China,” their representative commented.

“The nation’s view” on a tariff war has consistently been unchanging: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Recently, the Chinese government revealed it was strengthening overseas sale regulations on key elements and further resources vital for high-technology production.

The action was viewed as a important measure, as the nation handles about 90% of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in goods such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

New remarks from the US and China are being interpreted by analysts as a means of bolstering negotiating stances prior to forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a meeting between the former president and President Xi, expected at a high-level meeting in Seoul in the coming weeks, will still proceed.