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Trump’s newest threat to enforce an additional 100% tariff on products from China has been labeled a “typical example” of American hypocrisy, per the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that Beijing could implement its own unrevealed “responsive actions” if the US President carries out his warning, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a possible trade war.

On Friday, the former president hit back at China’s decision to strengthen its regulations for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, accusing Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

Furthermore, he warned to withdraw from a planned summit with Chinese leader President Xi, which was set for a meeting in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

The former president’s remarks on Friday rattled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index dropping over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

These statements revived apprehensions of a trade war between the two economic giants.

This past spring, the respective governments had reached an agreement to remove high import duties on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the two nations.

As a result, US tariffs on Chinese imports subject to an additional import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering the country face a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of written responses to press queries – mirrored rhetoric from the zenith of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced United States controls on electronic components while supporting the country’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earths as “standard procedures” to protect domestic safety and that of the global community.

The spokesperson remarked that for “an extended period”, the America had “broadened the definition” of domestic safety, exploited overseas sale restrictions and “enforced” biased policies against the Chinese nation.

“Turning to” import duty warnings is not the right way to deal with China,” the official commented.

“The nation’s view” on a trade conflict has always been consistent: we are not seeking one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, Beijing declared it was strengthening export controls on rare earth minerals and additional substances essential to high-technology production.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the nation processes about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in products such as solar panels and handheld devices.

New remarks from both governments are being viewed by analysts as a means of strengthening positions prior to future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a summit between Donald Trump and China’s leader, expected at a conference in the Republic of Korea later this month, will go ahead.