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Donald Trump’s latest warning to enforce an additional 100% tariff on items imported from China has been described as a “typical example” of American hypocrisy, per the China’s leadership.

A representative of the ministry further commented that the nation could introduce its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the White House occupant carries out his threat, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a possible commercial battle.

This past Friday, the former president retaliated at Beijing’s move to reinforce its regulations for exports of rare earths, alleging Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

Furthermore, he threatened to withdraw from a scheduled talks with China’s President President Xi, which was arranged for a summit in the Republic of Korea later this month.

His statements on that day shook stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 closing down 2.7%, marking its steepest fall since April.

His comments renewed fears of a trade conflict between the United States and China.

Earlier this year, the two sides had consented to eliminate significant levies on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of commerce ceasing between the two countries.

Consequently, United States levies on Chinese goods subject to an added thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering the Chinese market are subject to a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – released by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of official answers to journalist’s questions – mirrored rhetoric from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while justifying Beijing’s restrictions on exports on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to ensure domestic safety and that of the global community.

Their representative remarked that for “an extended period”, the US had “overstretched the concept of national security, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “enforced” discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Turning to” import duty warnings is not the right way to deal with the Chinese government,” their representative commented.

“The nation’s view” on a import duty dispute has always been unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Recently, China declared it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and additional substances vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a important measure, as the country processes about 90% of the global rare earth supply, which are utilized in goods such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

The recent comments from both governments are being seen by some as a strategy of strengthening positions in preparation for upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a talks between the former president and China’s leader, scheduled at a conference in Seoul in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.