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Donald Trump’s newest ultimatum to enforce an additional complete levy on products from China has been labeled a “prime illustration” of American hypocrisy, per the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that the nation could implement its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the American leader carries out his pledge, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a looming trade war.

On Friday, Donald Trump responded at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its regulations for exports of critical elements, accusing the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

Additionally, he vowed to cancel a arranged meeting with Chinese leader President Xi, which was expected to take place during a meeting in Seoul in the coming weeks.

His statements on last Friday shook global markets, with the benchmark US stock index falling by nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

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

This past spring, the respective governments had reached an agreement to drop triple-digit tariffs on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of commerce ceasing between the economic powers.

This left, United States levies on products from China subject to an extra import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering China face a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of official answers to journalist’s questions – echoed language from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while justifying Beijing’s restrictions on exports on rare earth minerals as “normal actions” to ensure national security and that of all nations.

Their representative said that for “a long time”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, abused export control measures and “enforced” unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the correct approach to interact with China,” the official stated.

“China’s position on a tariff war has consistently been unchanging: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Last week, the Chinese government announced it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and other materials essential to high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a significant step, as the country refines about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are employed in products such as renewable energy components and mobile phones.

The recent comments from Washington and Beijing are being interpreted by observers as a strategy of strengthening positions ahead of forthcoming discussions.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between Donald Trump and President Xi, expected at a conference in South Korea before month’s end, will take place as planned.