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Donald Trump’s most recent warning to enforce an additional 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been labeled a “classic case” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that China could enact its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the US President executes his pledge, adding that the country was “fearless” of a possible trade war.

Last Friday, the former president retaliated at Beijing’s move to strengthen its regulations for exports of rare earth minerals, accusing Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “hostage”.

Additionally, he warned to cancel a arranged summit with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was arranged for a summit in South Korea in the coming weeks.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday unsettled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index dropping over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since April.

His comments reignited apprehensions of a trade conflict between the United States and China.

In May, the two sides had reached an agreement to drop significant levies on each other’s goods, which had led to concerns of commerce ceasing between the economic powers.

As a result, American import duties on products from China subject to an extra import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering the Chinese market face a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the format of official answers to media inquiries – echoed terminology from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while justifying the country’s own overseas sale regulations on key elements as “normal actions” to safeguard state interests and that of the global community.

The official remarked that for “a long time”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of state security, misused foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” biased policies against China.

“Turning to” trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to engage with the Chinese government,” their representative said.

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war has consistently been consistent: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

Recently, China announced it was tightening export controls on rare earth minerals and other materials critical for advanced tech manufacturing.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the state handles about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are utilized in products such as renewable energy components and mobile phones.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being seen by some as a means of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a summit between Trump and Xi Jinping, expected at a high-level meeting in Seoul before month’s end, will go ahead.