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Trump’s newest warning to enforce an additional 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been called a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the Chinese government.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that China could enact 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, Donald Trump responded at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its regulations for foreign shipments of rare earths, accusing the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “hostage”.

Furthermore, he vowed to cancel a scheduled meeting with China’s President President Xi, which was expected to take place during a conference in Seoul later this month.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday unsettled stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index falling by nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since last spring.

The president’s words renewed fears of a trade conflict between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the respective governments had agreed to remove high import duties on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the economic powers.

Consequently, American import duties on Chinese imports subject to an added import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market are subject to a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the relevant government department in the manner of formal replies to press queries – echoed language from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while defending China’s own overseas sale regulations on key elements as “normal actions” to safeguard state interests and that of all nations.

Their representative stated that for “many years”, the America had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, misused export control measures and “implemented” biased policies against Beijing.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the proper method to interact with Beijing,” their representative commented.

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war has remained unchanging: we are not seeking one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Recently, the Chinese government announced it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and other materials vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the state handles about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in items such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

Latest statements from the US and China are being viewed by analysts as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power ahead of forthcoming discussions.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between Trump and Xi Jinping, planned at a high-level meeting in Seoul later this month, will take place as planned.