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Trump’s most recent warning to impose 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 introduce its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant follows through on his threat, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a potential trade war.

On Friday, Donald Trump responded at Beijing’s move to tighten its regulations for foreign shipments of rare earths, charging Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “captive”.

Furthermore, he warned to pull out of a planned meeting with China’s President Xi, which was arranged for a summit in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

His statements on Friday rattled financial markets, with the S&P 500 falling by 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

His comments renewed concerns of a trade conflict between the two economic giants.

This past spring, the respective governments had consented to eliminate high import duties on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

As a result, US tariffs on Chinese goods facing an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering the country incur a 10% tariff.

The most recent comments from China – published by the Commerce Ministry in the format of formal replies to journalist’s questions – mirrored terminology from the peak of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned United States controls on semiconductors and chips while justifying the country’s own export controls on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to safeguard state interests and that of every country.

The spokesperson stated that for “an extended period”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, abused export control measures and “adopted biased policies against Beijing.

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

“Beijing’s stance” on a import duty dispute has consistently been steady: we are not seeking one, but we are fearless of one.”

Last week, the Chinese government announced it was tightening overseas sale regulations on rare earths and further resources essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a important measure, as the nation refines about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are utilized in goods such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

The recent comments from Washington and Beijing are being seen by observers as a method of bolstering negotiating stances prior to upcoming negotiations.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between the former president and China’s leader, expected at a summit in South Korea before month’s end, will go ahead.