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The former US president’s newest threat to impose an additional 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been called a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that Beijing could implement its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the American leader executes his pledge, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a potential commercial battle.

Last Friday, Trump hit back at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its regulations for exports of critical elements, alleging Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

Additionally, he vowed to cancel a planned meeting with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was arranged for a summit in Seoul in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on Friday rattled global markets, with the S&P 500 closing down 2.7%, marking its steepest fall since last spring.

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

In May, the respective governments had reached an agreement to drop significant levies on each other’s goods, which had led to concerns of trade halting between the economic powers.

Consequently, US tariffs on products from China incurring an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering China incur a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – published by the relevant government department in the form of official answers to press queries – reflected rhetoric from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised United States controls on semiconductors and chips while defending Beijing’s export controls on rare earths as “standard procedures” to ensure domestic safety and that of every country.

The official said that for “an extended period”, the United States had “broadened the definition” of national security, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “adopted unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

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

“Beijing’s stance” on a trade conflict has always been steady: we do not want one, but we are fearless of one.”

Recently, the Chinese government declared it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and further resources vital for cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the country processes about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are employed in products such as solar panels and mobile phones.

Latest statements from both governments are being seen by some as a means of enhancing bargaining power ahead of upcoming negotiations.

It is unclear whether a summit between the former president and Xi Jinping, expected at a high-level meeting in Seoul in the coming weeks, will go ahead.