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Trump’s latest warning to introduce an extra 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been labeled a “typical example” of American hypocrisy, according to the China’s leadership.

A representative of the ministry further commented that China could implement its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the US President executes his pledge, adding that the country was “unafraid” of a potential trade war.

Last Friday, Trump hit back at Beijing’s move to strengthen its rules for exports of critical elements, alleging China of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

Furthermore, he vowed to withdraw from a planned talks with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was arranged for a meeting in the Republic of Korea later this month.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday rattled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index closing down nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since April.

His comments revived apprehensions of a trade war between the US and China.

This past spring, the respective governments had agreed to eliminate significant levies on each other’s products, which had led to concerns of commerce ceasing between the two countries.

Consequently, American import duties on products from China incurring an additional 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering China incur a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the relevant government department in the form of official answers to journalist’s questions – mirrored rhetoric from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

Officials denounced US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while supporting the country’s own export controls on key elements as “normal actions” to protect state interests and that of the global community.

Their representative said that for “many years”, the America had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, exploited overseas sale restrictions and “enforced” biased policies against China.

“Turning to” trade levy ultimatums is not the right way to deal with the Chinese government,” the spokesperson stated.

“Beijing’s stance” on a import duty dispute has always been steady: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, Beijing revealed it was strengthening export controls on rare earths and additional substances vital for cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the country handles about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in goods such as solar panels and handheld devices.

Latest statements from the US and China are being interpreted by some as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power ahead of upcoming negotiations.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between Donald Trump and China’s leader, planned at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will still proceed.