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The former US president’s latest warning to impose an further 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been labeled a “prime illustration” of American hypocrisy, according to the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry further commented that China could enact its own unrevealed “retaliatory steps” if the US President executes his threat, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a looming trade conflict.

This past Friday, the former president hit back at Beijing’s move to strengthen its regulations for foreign shipments of rare earths, alleging the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the world “captive”.

He also warned to pull out of a arranged summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was set for a summit in Seoul before the month ends.

His statements on Friday shook financial markets, with the S&P 500 dropping 2.7%, marking its steepest fall since April.

The president’s words reignited apprehensions of a trade conflict between the US and China.

In May, the respective governments had consented to drop significant levies on each other’s goods, which had led to concerns of commerce ceasing between the economic powers.

This left, US tariffs on products from China incurring an additional import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering the Chinese market are subject to a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – published by the relevant government department in the form of official answers to media inquiries – echoed rhetoric from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

Officials denounced US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while supporting Beijing’s export controls on key elements as “standard procedures” to protect national security and that of the global community.

The spokesperson remarked that for “a long time”, the United States had “broadened the definition” of domestic safety, abused overseas sale restrictions and “enforced” biased policies against Beijing.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the right way to interact with the Chinese government,” their representative stated.

“China’s position on a tariff war has always been unchanging: we do not want one, but we are fearless of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government declared it was strengthening export controls on rare earth minerals and further resources vital for high-technology production.

This was seen as a key move, as the nation refines about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in items such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being interpreted by observers as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power in preparation for future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between Donald Trump and President Xi, planned at a summit in South Korea in the coming weeks, will still proceed.