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Trump’s newest ultimatum to impose an extra 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been described as a “typical example” of American hypocrisy, according to the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that China could introduce its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the American leader carries out his threat, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a looming trade war.

On Friday, Trump responded at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its regulations for exports of critical elements, accusing Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

Furthermore, he warned to withdraw from a scheduled meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was set for a conference in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday shook stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index closing down over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

His comments renewed fears of a commercial dispute 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 created the possibility of trade halting between the economic powers.

This left, American import duties on Chinese imports facing an extra import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market incur a 10% tariff.

The most recent comments from China – released by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of official answers to press queries – echoed language from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

They criticised American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while justifying the country’s own export controls on rare earths as “standard procedures” to protect state interests and that of all nations.

Their representative stated that for “a long time”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, misused export control measures and “implemented” unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the right way to deal with China,” their representative said.

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

The previous week, Beijing declared it was strengthening overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and other materials critical for advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a significant step, as the state processes about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in products such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

The recent comments from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by some as a means of strengthening positions prior to upcoming negotiations.

It is unclear whether a talks between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, planned at a summit in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will go ahead.