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The former US president’s most recent warning to enforce an extra 100% tariff on products from China has been called a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry also stated that Beijing could enact its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the American leader executes his threat, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a potential trade war.

This past Friday, the former president hit back at China’s decision to reinforce its rules for overseas sales of critical elements, alleging Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

He also vowed to cancel a arranged summit with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was arranged for a conference in the Republic of Korea later this month.

Trump’s comments on last Friday shook financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index falling by nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

His comments renewed apprehensions of a trade conflict between the United States and China.

In May, the two sides had agreed to eliminate significant levies on each other’s products, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the two nations.

As a result, American import duties on products from China subject to an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market face a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – released by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of official answers to press queries – echoed language from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

They criticised American limits on exports on electronic components while defending China’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earths as “normal actions” to protect state interests and that of every country.

The spokesperson said that for “a long time”, the United States had “broadened the definition” of state security, misused export control measures and “implemented” unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Turning to” trade levy ultimatums is not the correct approach to deal with Beijing,” the spokesperson commented.

“China’s position on a tariff war has consistently been steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Last week, the Chinese government declared it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on rare earths and other materials critical for advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a significant step, as the nation handles about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are used in products such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

Latest statements from the US and China are being viewed by observers as a strategy of strengthening positions prior to forthcoming discussions.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between the former president and Xi Jinping, expected at a summit in Seoul later this month, will take place as planned.