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The former US president’s most recent ultimatum to impose an further 100% tariff on products from China has been labeled a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the China’s leadership.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that the nation could implement its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the US President carries out his pledge, adding that the country was “fearless” of a potential trade conflict.

On Friday, Trump responded at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its policies for overseas sales of critical elements, alleging China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “hostage”.

Furthermore, he vowed to pull out of a scheduled meeting with China’s President President Xi, which was expected to take place during a meeting in Seoul before the month ends.

His statements on last Friday rattled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 falling by 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

The president’s words reignited fears of a trade war between the US and China.

In May, the two sides had consented to drop high import duties on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the two nations.

This left, US tariffs on Chinese imports facing an extra import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering the country incur a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the relevant government department in the format of written responses to journalist’s questions – echoed language from the peak of the recent trade conflict.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while supporting the country’s own export controls on rare earths as “routine measures” to protect state interests and that of all nations.

The official said that for “a long time”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, misused overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” unfair treatments against Beijing.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the right way to interact with the Chinese government,” the spokesperson stated.

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

The previous week, China announced it was tightening overseas sale regulations on rare earths and other materials vital for cutting-edge industry.

This was seen as a important measure, as the country refines about 90% of the planet’s critical minerals, which are utilized in goods such as solar panels and mobile phones.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by some as a means of enhancing bargaining power prior to upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a high-level meeting in South Korea in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.