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Trump’s newest threat to enforce an further 100% tariff on products from China has been labeled a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the Chinese government.

A representative of the ministry further commented that Beijing could enact its own unrevealed “responsive actions” if the US President executes his pledge, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a possible trade war.

On Friday, Trump hit back at Beijing’s move to strengthen its regulations for overseas sales of critical elements, accusing the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

Additionally, he warned to withdraw from a arranged meeting with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was arranged for a summit in South Korea later this month.

Trump’s comments on Friday shook financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index closing down over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since April.

These statements renewed concerns of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

This past spring, the two sides had agreed to remove triple-digit tariffs on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

This left, American import duties on Chinese goods subject to an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering China are subject to a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the Commerce Ministry in the format of formal replies to media inquiries – mirrored language from the peak of the recent trade conflict.

Officials denounced United States controls on electronic components while justifying China’s own export controls on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to protect national security and that of every country.

The official stated that for “many years”, the America had “overstretched the concept of state security, exploited export control measures and “enforced” biased policies against the Chinese nation.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the right way to engage with Beijing,” their representative commented.

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

Last week, Beijing revealed it was strengthening export controls on rare earths and other materials essential to cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the state processes about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in items such as solar panels and mobile phones.

The recent comments from both governments are being viewed by analysts as a method of strengthening positions ahead of forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a meeting between Trump and China’s leader, expected at a summit in Seoul later this month, will take place as planned.