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Donald Trump’s newest warning to impose an further 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been described as a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Chinese government.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that Beijing could implement its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the American leader follows through on his warning, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a possible commercial battle.

Last Friday, the former president responded at Beijing’s move to strengthen its regulations for exports of rare earth minerals, accusing Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

Furthermore, he threatened to withdraw from a arranged summit with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was arranged for a conference in South Korea later this month.

His statements on last Friday shook global markets, with the benchmark US stock index dropping over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

These statements reignited concerns of a commercial dispute between the US and China.

In May, the two sides had consented to drop significant levies on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of commerce ceasing between the economic powers.

As a result, American import duties on Chinese imports facing an extra 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the Chinese market face a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – released by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of written responses to press queries – reflected rhetoric from the height of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on electronic components while defending China’s own export controls on key elements as “standard procedures” to safeguard state interests and that of all nations.

Their representative remarked that for “many years”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “enforced” biased policies against Beijing.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the correct approach to deal with the Chinese government,” the official commented.

“The nation’s view” on a trade conflict has always been steady: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, Beijing declared it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and further resources critical for cutting-edge industry.

This was seen as a significant step, as the nation handles about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in goods such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

The recent comments from both governments are being seen by observers as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power ahead of forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a talks between the former president and President Xi, scheduled at a summit in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will still proceed.