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Trump’s most recent ultimatum to impose an further complete levy on items imported from China has been described as a “prime illustration” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that Beijing could enact its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the White House occupant follows through on his warning, adding that the country was “unafraid” of a possible commercial battle.

Last Friday, Donald Trump responded at China’s decision to reinforce its regulations for overseas sales of rare earths, charging China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

He also warned to cancel a scheduled summit with China’s President Xi, which was expected to take place during a conference in South Korea before the month ends.

Trump’s comments on last Friday rattled global markets, with the S&P 500 closing down over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since April.

His comments revived apprehensions of a commercial dispute between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the both nations had consented to drop significant levies on each other’s products, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

As a result, American import duties on products from China facing an added thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering the country incur a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – published by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of written responses to journalist’s questions – mirrored language from the zenith of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on electronic components while defending China’s own export controls on rare earth minerals as “normal actions” to ensure national security and that of the global community.

Their representative stated that for “a long time”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, abused overseas sale restrictions and “adopted discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Using” trade levy ultimatums is not the correct approach to engage with China,” their representative said.

“Beijing’s stance” on a trade conflict has consistently been steady: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Recently, China declared it was strengthening overseas sale regulations on rare earths and further resources essential to high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the country handles about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are employed in products such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

The recent comments from Washington and Beijing are being interpreted by observers as a method of strengthening positions prior to upcoming negotiations.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between Trump and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.