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Trump’s most recent ultimatum to impose an additional 100% tariff on products from China has been described as a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that the nation could introduce its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the US President executes his warning, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a looming commercial battle.

This past Friday, Trump responded at Beijing’s move to reinforce its policies for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, alleging Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “hostage”.

He also vowed to pull out of a planned meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a conference in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday shook financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index closing down over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since April.

His comments reignited fears of a trade war between the United States and China.

This past spring, the respective governments had reached an agreement to remove triple-digit tariffs on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

Consequently, US tariffs on Chinese goods incurring an added import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market incur a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the format of written responses to press queries – mirrored terminology from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised US export restrictions on electronic components while justifying the country’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earths as “normal actions” to ensure national security and that of every country.

Their representative said that for “many years”, the America had “overstretched the concept of state security, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” biased policies against the Chinese nation.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the right way to interact with the Chinese government,” the official commented.

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

The previous week, China announced it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earths and further resources critical for cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the state handles about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in items such as solar panels and handheld devices.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being seen by observers as a method of strengthening positions ahead of future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a summit between Donald Trump and China’s leader, planned at a conference in South Korea before month’s end, will go ahead.