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Donald Trump’s most recent threat to introduce an additional 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been labeled a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Chinese government.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that China could enact its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the US President follows through on his pledge, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a possible trade war.

On Friday, Trump responded at China’s decision to strengthen its rules for overseas sales of critical elements, charging Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

Furthermore, he threatened to withdraw from a scheduled talks with China’s President Xi, which was arranged for a conference in the Republic of Korea later this month.

Trump’s comments on that day shook stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index closing down nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since April.

The president’s words revived fears of a trade conflict between the two economic giants.

This past spring, the two sides had reached an agreement to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

Consequently, US tariffs on Chinese imports incurring an added thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering the country incur a 10% tariff.

The most recent comments from China – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the form of official answers to journalist’s questions – echoed rhetoric from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while justifying China’s own export controls on rare earths as “routine measures” to safeguard domestic safety and that of every country.

The official stated that for “an extended period”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of state security, exploited export control measures and “adopted unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Using” tariff threats is not the right way to interact with China,” the spokesperson stated.

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war has consistently been steady: we do not want one, but we are fearless of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government revealed it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and other materials essential to cutting-edge industry.

This was seen as a key move, as the country refines about 90% of the global rare earth supply, which are utilized in products such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

The recent comments from Washington and Beijing are being seen by some as a means of strengthening positions in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a meeting between the former president and Xi Jinping, expected at a summit in the Republic of Korea later this month, will still proceed.