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Donald Trump’s latest threat to enforce an extra 100% tariff on products from China has been called a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that China could enact its own unrevealed “retaliatory steps” if the US President follows through on his warning, adding that the country was “unafraid” of a possible trade war.

Last Friday, the former president hit back at China’s decision to reinforce its policies for overseas sales of rare earths, alleging Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

Furthermore, he threatened to pull out of a scheduled meeting with China’s President President Xi, which was set for a summit in South Korea before the month ends.

His statements on Friday shook stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 falling by over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

The president’s words renewed apprehensions of a trade war between the United States and China.

This past spring, the respective governments had consented to drop high import duties on each other’s goods, which had led to concerns of commerce ceasing between the two nations.

This left, United States levies on products from China subject to an extra import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the Chinese market incur a 10% tariff.

The most recent comments from China – published by the Commerce Ministry in the form of written responses to media inquiries – mirrored rhetoric from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while supporting the country’s own restrictions on exports on rare earths as “routine measures” to safeguard domestic safety and that of the global community.

The spokesperson said that for “many years”, the America had “broadened the definition” of national security, misused export control measures and “adopted unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the proper method to interact with the Chinese government,” the official stated.

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

The previous week, the Chinese government declared it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and other materials critical for high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the country refines about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are used in products such as solar panels and smartphones.

New remarks from the US and China are being seen by some as a means of bolstering negotiating stances in preparation for upcoming negotiations.

Remains uncertain whether a talks between Trump and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a summit in South Korea later this month, will go ahead.