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The former US president’s latest threat to impose an additional 100% tariff on items imported from China has been described as a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that the nation could introduce its own unrevealed “responsive actions” if the White House occupant executes his warning, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a looming commercial battle.

Last Friday, Trump retaliated at Beijing’s move to reinforce its regulations for exports of rare earths, accusing the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

Furthermore, he vowed to pull out of a scheduled meeting with Chinese leader Xi, which was set for a conference in the Republic of Korea before the month ends.

His statements on that day rattled global markets, with the S&P 500 falling by 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

These statements reignited apprehensions of a trade war between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the two sides had agreed to eliminate significant levies on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of commerce ceasing between the economic powers.

Consequently, American import duties on Chinese imports subject to an extra 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering China incur a import levy.

The most recent comments from China – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of written responses to journalist’s questions – reflected rhetoric from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced United States controls on electronic components while supporting China’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earths as “normal actions” to ensure state interests and that of all nations.

The spokesperson said that for “many years”, the America had “overstretched the concept of state security, misused overseas sale restrictions and “adopted discriminatory practices against Beijing.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the correct approach to engage with the Chinese government,” their representative said.

“China’s position on a tariff war has consistently been unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

The previous week, China declared it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and further resources critical for cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the state refines about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are utilized in items such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

The recent comments from both governments are being seen by some as a means of strengthening positions ahead of future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a talks between Trump and China’s leader, scheduled at a high-level meeting in South Korea in the coming weeks, will still proceed.