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The former US president’s newest threat to introduce an additional 100% tariff on products from China has been described as a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A representative of the ministry further commented that China could enact its own unrevealed “countermeasures” if the White House occupant carries out his warning, noting that the country was “fearless” of a possible trade conflict.

On Friday, the former president responded at China’s decision to tighten its regulations for foreign shipments of rare earths, accusing China of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “captive”.

Additionally, he vowed to withdraw from a arranged summit with China’s President President Xi, which was expected to take place during a meeting in Seoul in the coming weeks.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday rattled stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index dropping over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

The president’s words renewed apprehensions of a trade war between the United States and China.

In May, the two sides had consented to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s products, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the economic powers.

Consequently, United States levies on Chinese imports facing an extra 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering China are subject to a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – published by the relevant government department in the form of written responses to press queries – mirrored terminology from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while defending China’s own export controls on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to protect national security and that of all nations.

Their representative stated that for “many years”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, abused foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” unfair treatments against China.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the proper method to deal with Beijing,” the official commented.

“Beijing’s stance” on a import duty dispute has remained steady: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, China announced it was tightening overseas sale regulations on rare earths and other materials essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a key move, as the country handles about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in items such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being interpreted by some as a method of bolstering negotiating stances prior to forthcoming discussions.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between Trump and President Xi, expected at a summit in Seoul in the coming weeks, will still proceed.