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The former US president’s newest ultimatum to enforce an extra 100% tariff on products from China has been called a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that China could enact its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant executes his pledge, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a looming trade war.

On Friday, Trump hit back at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its regulations for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, charging the Chinese leadership of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “hostage”.

He also vowed to withdraw from a scheduled meeting with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was set for a summit in Seoul before the month ends.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday rattled financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index dropping nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since April.

These statements reignited apprehensions of a trade conflict between the United States and China.

This past spring, the both nations had reached an agreement to remove significant levies on each other’s goods, which had led to concerns of trade halting between the economic powers.

Consequently, United States levies on products from China facing an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering the country incur a import levy.

The most recent comments from China – released by the relevant government department in the manner of written responses to press queries – reflected language from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

They criticised US export restrictions on chips and semi-conductors while defending Beijing’s overseas sale regulations on key elements as “standard procedures” to safeguard national security and that of all nations.

Their representative said that for “a long time”, the America had “overstretched the concept of state security, misused foreign shipment regulations and “adopted unfair treatments against China.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the right way to engage with China,” the spokesperson commented.

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

Last week, Beijing declared it was reinforcing export controls on key elements and further resources essential to high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the state processes about 90% of the global rare earth supply, which are used in items such as solar panels and smartphones.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being interpreted by observers as a means of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between Trump and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a high-level meeting in Seoul before month’s end, will go ahead.