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Trump’s newest ultimatum to enforce an further 100% tariff on products from China has been described as a “typical example” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that the nation could implement its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the US President carries out his pledge, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a looming commercial battle.

Last Friday, the former president responded at China’s decision to strengthen its rules for exports of rare earths, accusing the Chinese leadership of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

Additionally, he vowed to withdraw from a scheduled summit with Chinese leader Xi, which was expected to take place during a conference in South Korea later this month.

Trump’s comments on that day rattled global markets, with the S&P 500 dropping 2.7%, marking its largest decline since April.

The president’s words reignited concerns of a trade war between the two economic giants.

In May, the both nations had consented to eliminate high import duties on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

As a result, US tariffs on Chinese goods subject to an added 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the country face a 10% tariff.

The most recent comments from China – released by the relevant government department in the format of official answers to journalist’s questions – echoed language from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced US export restrictions on electronic components while supporting China’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “normal actions” to protect domestic safety and that of all nations.

The spokesperson remarked that for “many years”, the US had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, misused export control measures and “enforced” discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the correct approach to deal with the Chinese government,” the spokesperson stated.

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

Last week, Beijing declared it was strengthening export controls on rare earth minerals and other materials essential to high-technology production.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the country refines about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are used in goods such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

The recent comments from the US and China are being viewed by analysts as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power ahead of future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a meeting between Trump and President Xi, planned at a summit in South Korea before month’s end, will go ahead.