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Trump’s most recent ultimatum to introduce an further 100% tariff on items imported from China has been described as a “typical example” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that the nation could enact its own unrevealed “countermeasures” if the White House occupant carries out his warning, adding that the country was “fearless” of a potential commercial battle.

This past Friday, the former president hit back at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its rules for exports of critical elements, accusing the Chinese leadership of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

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

The former president’s remarks on last Friday unsettled financial markets, with the S&P 500 dropping nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

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

In May, the both nations had reached an agreement to eliminate significant levies on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of trade halting between the economic powers.

This left, American import duties on Chinese imports incurring an additional import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering China incur a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – published by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of official answers to press queries – reflected rhetoric from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while supporting the country’s own export controls on rare earths as “routine measures” to protect national security and that of every country.

The spokesperson remarked that for “a long time”, the America had “overstretched the concept of national security, misused foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” biased policies against Beijing.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the right way to interact with Beijing,” their representative stated.

“China’s position on a tariff war has remained consistent: we are not seeking one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, Beijing declared it was strengthening export controls on rare earths and other materials essential to high-technology production.

The action was viewed as a important measure, as the nation refines about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are employed in products such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by some as a strategy of strengthening positions prior to forthcoming discussions.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between Trump and Xi Jinping, expected at a conference in Seoul in the coming weeks, will go ahead.