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The former US president’s newest ultimatum to impose an additional 100% tariff on products from China has been described as a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that China could enact its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant carries out his pledge, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a looming commercial battle.

On Friday, Trump responded at Beijing’s move to strengthen its policies for foreign shipments of rare earths, charging the Chinese leadership of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “hostage”.

Additionally, he threatened to cancel a scheduled talks with China’s President Xi, which was arranged for a summit in South Korea in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on last Friday unsettled financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index dropping nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since last spring.

The president’s words renewed fears of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

This past spring, the respective governments had consented to remove high import duties on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the two nations.

Consequently, American import duties on Chinese imports facing an additional 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering China incur a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of official answers to press queries – mirrored terminology from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised United States controls on semiconductors and chips while supporting Beijing’s restrictions on exports on rare earth minerals as “normal actions” to protect state interests and that of all nations.

Their representative said that for “many years”, the US had “broadened the definition” of national security, exploited export control measures and “enforced” discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the correct approach to deal with Beijing,” the spokesperson said.

“The nation’s view” on a import duty dispute has consistently been steady: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, Beijing announced it was strengthening export controls on rare earth minerals and additional substances essential to high-technology production.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the state processes about 90% of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in items such as renewable energy components and mobile phones.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being seen by analysts as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power prior to future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between the former president and China’s leader, expected at a conference in Seoul later this month, will go ahead.