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The former US president’s latest ultimatum to introduce an additional 100% tariff on products from China has been described as a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that the nation could implement its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the US President carries out his warning, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a possible trade war.

Last Friday, Trump responded at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its policies for foreign shipments of rare earths, alleging Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “hostage”.

He also threatened to withdraw from a arranged meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a conference in South Korea in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on last Friday unsettled financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index falling by 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

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

In May, the both nations had reached an agreement to drop triple-digit tariffs on each other’s products, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the two nations.

This left, US tariffs on products from China subject to an extra import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the country are subject to a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of official answers to journalist’s questions – reflected language from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised United States controls on electronic components while justifying China’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to ensure national security and that of every country.

The spokesperson stated that for “a long time”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of national security, exploited export control measures and “adopted biased policies against Beijing.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the correct approach to deal with Beijing,” their representative said.

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war has always been unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government revealed it was tightening overseas sale regulations on key elements and further resources vital for high-technology production.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the state handles about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are utilized in products such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being interpreted by some as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of upcoming negotiations.

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