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Trump’s newest warning to enforce an extra 100% tariff on products from China has been labeled a “classic case” of American hypocrisy, according to the China’s leadership.

A representative of the ministry further commented that the nation could implement its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the US President executes his warning, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a potential commercial battle.

On Friday, Donald Trump hit back at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its rules for exports of rare earths, charging China of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “hostage”.

Furthermore, he threatened to pull out of a arranged meeting with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was arranged for a summit in Seoul before the month ends.

The former president’s remarks on Friday unsettled stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index closing down nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

These statements revived fears of a trade war between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the two sides had reached an agreement to eliminate significant levies on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

This left, US tariffs on Chinese imports subject to an added import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the Chinese market incur a 10% tariff.

The most recent comments from China – issued by the relevant government department in the format of official answers to press queries – mirrored rhetoric from the height of the recent trade conflict.

Officials denounced US export restrictions on electronic components while justifying Beijing’s restrictions on exports on key elements as “standard procedures” to safeguard domestic safety and that of all nations.

The spokesperson said that for “many years”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, misused export control measures and “implemented” unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

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

“China’s position on a tariff war has always been steady: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Last week, Beijing revealed it was tightening export controls on rare earth minerals and other materials vital for high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a significant step, as the country handles about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are utilized in products such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

The recent comments from the US and China are being viewed by some as a method of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a meeting between the former president and China’s leader, scheduled at a high-level meeting in Seoul before month’s end, will go ahead.