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The former US president’s most recent ultimatum to enforce an additional 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been labeled a “typical example” of American hypocrisy, according to the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that the nation could introduce its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the US President executes his threat, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a looming trade war.

On Friday, Donald Trump responded at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its policies for overseas sales of rare earths, accusing the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

Additionally, he warned to withdraw from a arranged summit with China’s President President Xi, which was expected to take place during a summit in South Korea in the coming weeks.

The former president’s remarks on that day shook global markets, with the S&P 500 falling by 2.7%, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

The president’s words revived fears of a trade conflict between the United States and China.

This past spring, the respective governments had agreed to remove high import duties on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the two nations.

As a result, US tariffs on products from China facing an additional 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market incur a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the relevant government department in the form of official answers to media inquiries – echoed terminology from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while supporting the country’s own restrictions on exports on key elements as “normal actions” to ensure national security and that of the global community.

The spokesperson said that for “many years”, the America had “broadened the definition” of domestic safety, abused foreign shipment regulations and “adopted unfair treatments against Beijing.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the right way to engage with the Chinese government,” the spokesperson stated.

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has remained consistent: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Last week, China revealed it was tightening export controls on rare earths and further resources essential to high-technology production.

This was seen as a key move, as the nation processes about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are utilized in goods such as solar panels and mobile phones.

The recent comments from the US and China are being viewed by observers as a means of bolstering negotiating stances in preparation for future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between Trump and Xi Jinping, expected at a high-level meeting in Seoul later this month, will go ahead.