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Trump’s latest threat to enforce an extra 100% tariff on items imported from China has been described as a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the Chinese government.

A representative of the ministry further commented that the nation could implement its own unrevealed “retaliatory steps” if the American leader executes his threat, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a potential trade conflict.

Last Friday, Trump responded at Beijing’s move to strengthen its policies for exports of critical elements, alleging China of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

Additionally, he warned to pull out of a planned summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which was set for a conference in Seoul later this month.

His statements on Friday rattled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index closing down over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since April.

These statements renewed apprehensions of a commercial dispute between the two economic giants.

Earlier this year, the both nations had reached an agreement to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

This left, United States levies on Chinese imports facing an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering China incur a 10% tariff.

The most recent comments from China – published by the relevant government department in the format of formal replies to media inquiries – echoed language from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while justifying the country’s own restrictions on exports on key elements as “routine measures” to safeguard domestic safety and that of the global community.

Their representative said that for “many years”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, misused overseas sale restrictions and “adopted discriminatory practices against China.

“Turning to” import duty warnings is not the proper method to interact with China,” the spokesperson said.

“China’s position on a tariff war has remained steady: we are not seeking one, but we are fearless of one.”

The previous week, China revealed it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and other materials critical for high-technology production.

This was seen as a key move, as the country handles about 90% of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in products such as solar panels and mobile phones.

New remarks from both governments are being seen by observers as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power prior to upcoming negotiations.

It is unclear whether a meeting between the former president and China’s leader, scheduled at a conference in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will take place as planned.