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Trump’s most recent warning to introduce an additional 100% tariff on products from China has been labeled a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Chinese government.

A representative of the ministry further commented that China could implement its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the US President carries out his warning, adding that the country was “unafraid” of a possible trade war.

This past Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its regulations for foreign shipments of rare earths, accusing Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “hostage”.

Furthermore, he threatened to withdraw from a planned summit with China’s President Xi, which was expected to take place during a meeting in the Republic of Korea before the month ends.

His statements on last Friday unsettled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index dropping over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

His comments reignited concerns of a trade conflict between the two economic giants.

In May, the two sides had reached an agreement to drop high import duties on each other’s goods, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

This left, US tariffs on Chinese imports subject to an extra import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering the country incur a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – published by the relevant government department in the format of written responses to journalist’s questions – echoed language from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while supporting Beijing’s restrictions on exports on key elements as “standard procedures” to ensure state interests and that of all nations.

The official remarked that for “a long time”, the US had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, abused foreign shipment regulations and “enforced” discriminatory practices against Beijing.

“Turning to” import duty warnings is not the correct approach to engage with the Chinese government,” their representative stated.

“China’s position on a trade conflict has always been consistent: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Recently, Beijing announced it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on rare earths and other materials essential to high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a significant step, as the state handles about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are used in goods such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

Latest statements from the US and China are being viewed by analysts as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a summit between Trump and China’s leader, expected at a high-level meeting in South Korea in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.