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Trump’s most recent ultimatum to introduce an extra 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been described as a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that the nation could enact its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the US President carries out his pledge, noting that the country was “fearless” of a potential trade war.

On Friday, the former president responded at China’s decision to reinforce its regulations for foreign shipments of critical elements, alleging the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

Additionally, he warned to pull out of a planned meeting with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a conference in Seoul in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on that day shook stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 closing down over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since last spring.

His comments reignited fears of a trade conflict between the two economic giants.

Earlier this year, the both nations had agreed to eliminate high import duties on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

As a result, American import duties on products from China incurring an additional import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering China incur a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the form of written responses to media inquiries – reflected terminology from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while supporting China’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earths as “standard procedures” to ensure domestic safety and that of the global community.

Their representative stated that for “a long time”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, misused foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” unfair treatments against China.

“Turning to” import duty warnings is not the right way to deal with the Chinese government,” the official stated.

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war has consistently been consistent: we are not seeking one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, China declared it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on rare earths and additional substances essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a key move, as the nation refines about 90% of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in items such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

New remarks from both governments are being seen by analysts as a method of bolstering negotiating stances in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a meeting between the former president and Xi Jinping, expected at a conference in Seoul in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.