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The former US president’s most recent ultimatum to impose an additional 100% tariff on items imported from China has been described as a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry further commented that Beijing could implement its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the American leader executes his warning, noting that the country was “fearless” of a possible trade conflict.

Last Friday, Trump responded at China’s decision to strengthen its rules for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, alleging Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the world “captive”.

He also vowed to withdraw from a planned talks with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a meeting in the Republic of Korea before the month ends.

Trump’s comments on Friday shook global markets, with the S&P 500 share index closing down over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since April.

His comments reignited apprehensions of a trade war between the two economic giants.

This past spring, the respective governments had reached an agreement to eliminate high import duties on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the two countries.

As a result, United States levies on Chinese goods incurring an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering China incur a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the format of formal replies to press queries – reflected terminology from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

They criticised United States controls on semiconductors and chips while defending Beijing’s restrictions on exports on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to protect national security and that of all nations.

The official stated that for “an extended period”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of national security, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “enforced” discriminatory practices against China.

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

“China’s position on a trade conflict has remained steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

Recently, China declared it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and additional substances essential to high-technology production.

This was seen as a key move, as the country refines about 90% of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in products such as solar panels and handheld devices.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by analysts as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power ahead of upcoming negotiations.

It is unclear whether a summit between Trump and Xi Jinping, expected at a summit in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.