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The former US president’s latest ultimatum to impose an extra 100% tariff on products from China has been called a “typical example” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that China could enact its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the American leader executes his warning, adding that the country was “fearless” of a possible trade conflict.

This past Friday, Trump retaliated at Beijing’s move to reinforce its regulations for exports of rare earths, alleging the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

Additionally, he vowed to withdraw from a arranged meeting with Chinese leader Xi, which was set for a conference in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

The former president’s remarks on that day unsettled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 dropping 2.7%, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

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

Earlier this year, the two sides had consented to remove significant levies on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

As a result, US tariffs 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 manner of written responses to journalist’s questions – reflected terminology from the peak of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on electronic components while justifying the country’s own export controls on key elements as “standard procedures” to protect domestic safety and that of every country.

Their representative said that for “many years”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of state security, misused overseas sale restrictions and “enforced” biased policies against Beijing.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the correct approach to interact with Beijing,” the spokesperson stated.

“Beijing’s stance” on a import duty dispute has consistently been consistent: we are not seeking one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Recently, Beijing revealed it was tightening export controls on rare earth minerals and other materials essential to cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the country handles about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in items such as solar panels and mobile phones.

The recent comments from both governments are being viewed by analysts as a method of strengthening positions ahead of upcoming negotiations.

It is unclear whether a summit between Trump and President Xi, planned at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will take place as planned.