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Trump’s most recent warning to impose an extra 100% tariff on items imported from China has been described as a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that the nation could implement its own unrevealed “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant executes his warning, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a looming commercial battle.

Last Friday, the former president hit back at Beijing’s move to strengthen its policies for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, charging Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “hostage”.

Additionally, he vowed to withdraw from a scheduled talks with China’s President Xi, which was expected to take place during a summit in the Republic of Korea later this month.

Trump’s comments on Friday unsettled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 falling by nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

The president’s words renewed fears of a trade conflict between the two economic giants.

In May, the two sides had reached an agreement to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the two nations.

Consequently, United States levies on Chinese goods facing an additional 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering the Chinese market incur a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the relevant government department in the manner of formal replies to journalist’s questions – echoed terminology from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while supporting Beijing’s overseas sale regulations on rare earths as “normal actions” to ensure national security and that of the global community.

The official remarked that for “a long time”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, abused export control measures and “enforced” unfair treatments against China.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the proper method to deal with Beijing,” their representative stated.

“The nation’s view” on a trade conflict has remained steady: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Last week, Beijing declared it was strengthening overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and other materials critical for cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the state processes about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in products such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

New remarks from both governments are being seen by observers as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power prior to future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between the former president and China’s leader, scheduled at a conference in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.