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Trump’s latest ultimatum to introduce an additional 100% tariff on items imported from China has been called a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that Beijing could enact its own unrevealed “countermeasures” if the White House occupant executes his warning, adding that the country was “unafraid” of a looming trade conflict.

Last Friday, Trump hit back at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its policies for exports of rare earth minerals, accusing the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “hostage”.

Furthermore, he threatened to pull out of a arranged summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was set for a summit in South Korea later this month.

Trump’s comments on last Friday rattled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index closing down nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since April.

His comments reignited apprehensions of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

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

This left, United States levies on products from China subject to an added 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering China are subject to a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the relevant government department in the format of formal replies to journalist’s questions – mirrored language from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while defending the country’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to safeguard national security and that of every country.

The spokesperson remarked that for “an extended period”, the America had “broadened the definition” of national security, exploited export control measures and “implemented” discriminatory practices against Beijing.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the proper method to engage with China,” the spokesperson stated.

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has consistently been steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Recently, the Chinese government announced it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on rare earths and other materials critical for cutting-edge industry.

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

Latest statements from the US and China are being interpreted by some as a method of bolstering negotiating stances in preparation for future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a talks between Donald Trump and President Xi, expected at a conference in South Korea in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.