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Donald Trump’s newest threat to impose an further 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been called a “prime illustration” of American hypocrisy, according to the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that the nation could implement its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the US President follows through on his pledge, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a possible commercial battle.

This past Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its rules for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, alleging China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

He also vowed to withdraw from a arranged talks with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a summit in the Republic of Korea later this month.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday unsettled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index closing down 2.7%, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

These statements revived fears of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

This past spring, the both nations had agreed to eliminate high import duties on each other’s products, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

As a result, US tariffs on Chinese goods incurring an additional 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering the country are subject to a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the form of official answers to media inquiries – reflected language from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

They criticised American limits on exports on electronic components while defending China’s own restrictions on exports on rare earth minerals as “normal actions” to protect national security and that of the global community.

The spokesperson stated that for “a long time”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, abused overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Using” trade levy ultimatums is not the correct approach to deal with the Chinese government,” the spokesperson said.

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has consistently been steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Recently, Beijing revealed it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earths and further resources essential to high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the nation processes about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in goods such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being seen by some as a method of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a summit between the former president and President Xi, scheduled at a conference in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will take place as planned.