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The former US president’s newest ultimatum to introduce an additional 100% tariff on products from China has been described as a “classic case” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that the nation could implement its own unrevealed “countermeasures” if the American leader follows through on his warning, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a possible trade war.

Last Friday, the former president responded at Beijing’s move to tighten its regulations for overseas sales of critical elements, alleging Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

He also threatened to cancel a arranged summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a meeting in the Republic of Korea before the month ends.

His statements on last Friday unsettled financial markets, with the S&P 500 dropping nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since April.

The president’s words reignited apprehensions of a trade war between the United States and China.

This past spring, the two sides had consented to remove significant levies on each other’s products, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

Consequently, American import duties on Chinese goods facing an additional 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering the Chinese market incur a 10% tariff.

The most recent comments from China – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of official answers to journalist’s questions – echoed language from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised United States controls on chips and semi-conductors while justifying China’s own overseas sale regulations on key elements as “standard procedures” to ensure national security and that of all nations.

The spokesperson stated that for “an extended period”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, exploited export control measures and “implemented” discriminatory practices against China.

“Turning to” import duty warnings is not the correct approach to engage with Beijing,” the spokesperson stated.

“The nation’s view” on a import duty dispute has remained consistent: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

Last week, China announced it was tightening export controls on rare earth minerals and additional substances essential to cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the country handles about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in items such as renewable energy components and mobile phones.

Latest statements from the US and China are being interpreted by analysts as a method of enhancing bargaining power in preparation for future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a talks between Trump and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a high-level meeting in South Korea later this month, will take place as planned.