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Donald Trump’s newest ultimatum to impose an extra 100% tariff on products from China has been labeled a “typical example” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that the nation could enact its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the American leader follows through on his warning, adding that the country was “unafraid” of a looming trade conflict.

This past Friday, Donald Trump responded at Beijing’s move to strengthen its regulations for foreign shipments of rare earths, alleging Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

Furthermore, he threatened to cancel a arranged meeting with China’s President Xi, which was expected to take place during a conference in Seoul later this month.

Trump’s comments on last Friday shook stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index closing down nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since last spring.

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

In May, the respective governments had reached an agreement to drop triple-digit tariffs on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

This left, United States levies on Chinese goods subject to an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering the country incur a import levy.

The most recent comments from China – issued by the relevant government department in the form of written responses to press queries – echoed terminology from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while justifying China’s own restrictions on exports on rare earths as “standard procedures” to protect state interests and that of the global community.

The official stated that for “a long time”, the United States had “broadened the definition” of state security, misused export control measures and “implemented” biased policies against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the right way to deal with China,” the official said.

“Beijing’s stance” on a import duty dispute has consistently been consistent: we are not seeking one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Recently, China announced it was strengthening export controls on rare earth minerals and other materials vital for high-technology production.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the nation processes about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are used in products such as solar panels and mobile phones.

Latest statements from both governments are being viewed by some as a method of enhancing bargaining power in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between the former president and President Xi, expected at a conference in Seoul in the coming weeks, will still proceed.