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The former US president’s most recent threat to enforce an additional 100% tariff on products from China has been called a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry also stated that China could introduce its own unrevealed “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant carries out his threat, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a looming commercial battle.

This past Friday, Donald Trump hit back at Beijing’s move to strengthen its policies for foreign shipments of rare earths, charging Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “captive”.

Additionally, he threatened to pull out of a planned talks with Chinese leader President Xi, which was expected to take place during a meeting in South Korea later this month.

His statements on that day unsettled global markets, with the S&P 500 closing down nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since April.

These statements reignited fears of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

Earlier this year, the respective governments had reached an agreement to remove significant levies on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

Consequently, American import duties on products from China subject to an extra import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the country are subject to a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – released by the Commerce Ministry in the format of formal replies to media inquiries – echoed language from the peak of the recent trade conflict.

They criticised American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while defending China’s own overseas sale regulations on key elements as “standard procedures” to safeguard state interests and that of all nations.

Their representative said that for “an extended period”, the America had “broadened the definition” of national security, misused export control measures and “enforced” biased policies against the Chinese nation.

“Turning to” trade levy ultimatums is not the correct approach to interact with the Chinese government,” the official stated.

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war has remained unchanging: we are not seeking one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Recently, the Chinese government declared it was tightening export controls on key elements and additional substances critical for cutting-edge industry.

This was seen as a key move, as the nation handles about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are used in products such as renewable energy components and mobile phones.

The recent comments from both governments are being interpreted by observers as a method of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between Trump and Xi Jinping, planned at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will go ahead.