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The former US president’s newest ultimatum to impose an additional 100% tariff on products from China has been described as a “prime illustration” of American hypocrisy, per the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that China could introduce its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the White House occupant follows through on his warning, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a potential trade conflict.

On Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at China’s decision to tighten its policies for foreign shipments of critical elements, accusing Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “hostage”.

Additionally, he threatened to pull out of a planned summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a conference in South Korea in the coming weeks.

His statements on last Friday rattled global markets, with the S&P 500 share index falling by nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

The president’s words revived apprehensions of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

Earlier this year, the respective governments had agreed to eliminate high import duties on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the economic powers.

This left, United States levies on Chinese goods facing an added thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the country are subject to a 10% tariff.

The most recent comments from China – released by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of official answers to journalist’s questions – echoed terminology from the zenith of the latest commercial tensions.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while defending Beijing’s export controls on rare earth minerals as “normal actions” to safeguard domestic safety and that of all nations.

The spokesperson said that for “an extended period”, the America had “broadened the definition” of national security, misused foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” discriminatory practices against China.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the correct approach to engage with Beijing,” the spokesperson commented.

“Beijing’s stance” on a trade conflict has remained steady: we are not seeking one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Recently, China announced it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on key elements and other materials essential to cutting-edge industry.

This was seen as a significant step, as the state processes about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in items such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

Latest statements from the US and China are being seen by analysts as a method of enhancing bargaining power in preparation for future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a meeting between Donald Trump and China’s leader, scheduled at a summit in Seoul later this month, will still proceed.