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The former US president’s most recent ultimatum to impose an extra 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been called a “prime illustration” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that China could introduce its own unrevealed “retaliatory steps” if the American leader follows through on his warning, adding that the country was “unafraid” of a potential commercial battle.

On Friday, the former president hit back at China’s decision to strengthen its rules for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, alleging China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

Furthermore, he vowed to pull out of a scheduled talks with Chinese leader President Xi, which was set for a summit in Seoul later this month.

His statements on that day unsettled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index dropping over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

His comments renewed fears of a commercial dispute between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the two sides had reached an agreement to eliminate high import duties on each other’s goods, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

This left, US tariffs on Chinese goods subject to an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the country incur a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – published by the Commerce Ministry in the form of written responses to media inquiries – echoed rhetoric from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on chips and semi-conductors while justifying Beijing’s overseas sale regulations on key elements as “standard procedures” to protect domestic safety and that of the global community.

Their representative stated that for “many years”, the America had “broadened the definition” of domestic safety, exploited export control measures and “implemented” discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Turning to” import duty warnings is not the correct approach to engage with the Chinese government,” the spokesperson commented.

“Beijing’s stance” on a import duty dispute has remained unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Last week, Beijing announced it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earths and other materials essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the nation handles about 90% of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in items such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

New remarks from both governments are being interpreted by some as a means of strengthening positions prior to forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a talks between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, planned at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will still proceed.