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Donald Trump’s most recent ultimatum to enforce an additional 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been called a “typical example” of American hypocrisy, per the China’s leadership.

A representative of the ministry also stated that Beijing could enact its own unrevealed “responsive actions” if the American leader carries out his warning, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a looming trade war.

On Friday, Donald Trump responded at Beijing’s move to reinforce its policies for overseas sales of critical elements, charging Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “hostage”.

He also threatened to cancel a planned summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was set for a conference in South Korea later this month.

Trump’s comments on last Friday unsettled financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index dropping over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since April.

The president’s words reignited concerns of a trade war between the two economic giants.

This past spring, the both nations had agreed to drop high import duties on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

As a result, United States levies on products from China incurring an added 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering China face a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the format of formal replies to journalist’s questions – echoed rhetoric from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while justifying China’s own overseas sale regulations on key elements as “routine measures” to safeguard national security and that of all nations.

The spokesperson said that for “many years”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, misused export control measures and “enforced” biased policies against China.

“Turning to” import duty warnings is not the right way to deal with the Chinese government,” their representative commented.

“China’s position on a trade conflict has consistently been consistent: we do not want one, but we are fearless of one.”

Last week, Beijing declared it was tightening overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and further resources essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a important measure, as the nation handles about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are utilized in goods such as solar panels and smartphones.

Latest statements from the US and China are being interpreted by some as a means of strengthening positions prior to upcoming negotiations.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between Donald Trump and China’s leader, expected at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will still proceed.