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The former US president’s most recent ultimatum to enforce an additional 100% tariff on products from China has been described as a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the Chinese government.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry also stated that the nation could enact its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the American leader follows through on his warning, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a possible trade war.

Last Friday, Trump responded at Beijing’s move to tighten its rules for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, accusing Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

He also vowed to cancel a scheduled talks with Chinese leader President Xi, which was arranged for a summit in Seoul before the month ends.

Trump’s comments on last Friday unsettled stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index falling by 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since April.

His comments revived fears of a commercial dispute between the two economic giants.

Earlier this year, the respective governments had reached an agreement to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

As a result, US tariffs on Chinese imports incurring an extra import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the Chinese market face a import levy.

The most recent comments from China – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the format of written responses to journalist’s questions – mirrored terminology from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while justifying Beijing’s export controls on rare earths as “standard procedures” to safeguard national security and that of every country.

Their representative remarked that for “an extended period”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, misused foreign shipment regulations and “adopted biased policies against Beijing.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the correct approach to deal with Beijing,” the official said.

“Beijing’s stance” on a import duty dispute has consistently been consistent: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Last week, the Chinese government declared it was strengthening overseas sale regulations on rare earths and other materials 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 used in items such as solar panels and mobile phones.

New remarks from both governments are being viewed by some as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power ahead of forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a talks between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, planned at a summit in Seoul in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.