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Trump’s most recent ultimatum to introduce an further 100% tariff on products from China has been called a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that Beijing could introduce its own unrevealed “countermeasures” if the American leader executes his pledge, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a potential trade war.

Last Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its policies for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, alleging the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

He also vowed to pull out of a arranged summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was expected to take place during a summit in the Republic of Korea before the month ends.

His statements on last Friday rattled financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index dropping nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since April.

The president’s words reignited concerns of a trade conflict between the two economic giants.

This past spring, the respective governments had consented to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s products, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

As a result, American import duties on products from China incurring an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering China face a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of formal replies to media inquiries – echoed terminology from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised US export restrictions on electronic components while defending Beijing’s export controls on rare earths as “normal actions” to protect state interests and that of all nations.

Their representative said that for “an extended period”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, abused overseas sale restrictions and “enforced” unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Using” tariff threats is not the proper method to engage with China,” their representative stated.

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has consistently been unchanging: we are not seeking one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government announced it was tightening export controls on rare earth minerals and further resources essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a key move, as the nation processes about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are utilized in items such as solar panels and smartphones.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by some as a means of strengthening positions ahead of future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a talks between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a summit in South Korea later this month, will go ahead.