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The former US president’s newest warning to introduce an further 100% tariff on products from China has been labeled a “typical example” of American hypocrisy, per the China’s leadership.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry also stated that China could introduce its own unrevealed “countermeasures” if the White House occupant executes his pledge, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a potential trade conflict.

This past Friday, Trump responded at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its rules for overseas sales of rare earths, alleging the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

Furthermore, he vowed to pull out of a arranged talks with Chinese leader Xi, which was arranged for a conference in South Korea before the month ends.

His statements on Friday shook financial markets, with the S&P 500 falling by 2.7%, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

These statements revived fears of a trade war between the United States and China.

This past spring, the respective governments had consented to drop high import duties on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

This left, United States levies on products from China subject to an additional import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering the Chinese market incur a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – released by the Commerce Ministry in the form of official answers to journalist’s questions – echoed rhetoric from the peak of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while justifying Beijing’s restrictions on exports on rare earths as “normal actions” to protect national security and that of the global community.

The spokesperson stated that for “many years”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, exploited export control measures and “adopted unfair treatments against Beijing.

“Turning to” trade levy ultimatums is not the correct approach to deal with the Chinese government,” the spokesperson said.

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has consistently been steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, Beijing announced it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on rare earths and other materials vital for high-technology production.

This was seen as a important measure, as the nation handles about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in products such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

The recent comments from both governments are being viewed by some as a strategy of strengthening positions ahead of forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a high-level meeting in Seoul later this month, will take place as planned.