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The former US president’s latest ultimatum to impose an extra 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been described as a “typical example” of American hypocrisy, according to the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry further commented that Beijing could implement its own unrevealed “retaliatory steps” if the US President carries out his warning, noting that the country was “fearless” of a potential trade war.

On Friday, Trump responded at China’s decision to reinforce its regulations for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, accusing China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

Additionally, he vowed to withdraw from a scheduled talks with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a conference in South Korea later this month.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday unsettled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 falling by over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

These statements revived fears of a trade conflict between the US and China.

In May, the both nations had agreed to remove high import duties on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

Consequently, United States levies on products from China subject to an added import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering the Chinese market face a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the relevant government department in the form of official answers to press queries – mirrored language from the height of the recent trade conflict.

Officials denounced US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while defending the country’s own overseas sale regulations on key elements as “routine measures” to safeguard domestic safety and that of the global community.

The spokesperson stated that for “many years”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “adopted discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the correct approach to engage with the Chinese government,” the official stated.

“The nation’s view” on a trade conflict has consistently been consistent: we wish to avoid one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Last week, China declared it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on key elements and further resources essential to high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the state handles about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in items such as renewable energy components and mobile phones.

New remarks from both governments are being seen by some as a means of strengthening positions in preparation for upcoming negotiations.

It is unclear whether a meeting between Trump and President Xi, planned at a conference in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will still proceed.