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Trump’s most recent threat to introduce an further 100% tariff on products from China has been called a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that Beijing could enact its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the White House occupant carries out his threat, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a potential trade conflict.

Last Friday, the former president responded at Beijing’s move to strengthen its rules for foreign shipments of rare earths, alleging China of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

He also threatened to pull out of a planned summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a conference in South Korea later this month.

His statements on that day shook financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index falling by nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

The president’s words reignited fears of a trade war between the two economic giants.

In May, the two sides had reached an agreement to eliminate high import duties on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the two countries.

Consequently, United States levies on Chinese goods facing an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the country face a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – published by the Commerce Ministry in the format of official answers to press queries – reflected terminology from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while justifying China’s own export controls on rare earths as “routine measures” to safeguard domestic safety and that of all nations.

Their representative said that for “an extended period”, the United States had “broadened the definition” of domestic safety, misused overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” biased policies against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the correct approach to deal with Beijing,” the spokesperson commented.

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

Recently, Beijing declared it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and additional substances vital for cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the nation handles about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are employed in products such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

Latest statements from the US and China are being viewed by some as a means of strengthening positions prior to forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a meeting between the former president and China’s leader, expected at a summit in South Korea later this month, will go ahead.