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Donald Trump’s most recent threat to enforce an further 100% tariff on items imported from China has been called a “classic case” of American hypocrisy, per the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that the nation could enact its own unrevealed “countermeasures” if the American leader carries out his pledge, noting that the country was “fearless” of a looming trade conflict.

This past Friday, Trump retaliated at Beijing’s move to strengthen its rules for foreign shipments of critical elements, alleging the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

Furthermore, he threatened to pull out of a scheduled meeting with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was set for a meeting in the Republic of Korea before the month ends.

The former president’s remarks on that day rattled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index falling by over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

The president’s words revived concerns of a trade conflict between the United States and China.

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

Consequently, United States levies on Chinese goods subject to an additional import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering China are subject to a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of written responses to media inquiries – reflected language from the zenith of the latest commercial tensions.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on electronic components while justifying China’s own export controls on key elements as “standard procedures” to safeguard national security and that of every country.

Their representative stated that for “many years”, the United States had “broadened the definition” of state security, abused overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” unfair treatments against Beijing.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the right way to engage with China,” the spokesperson stated.

“Beijing’s stance” on a trade conflict has always been steady: we do not want one, but we are fearless of one.”

Last week, Beijing declared it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on rare earths and other materials essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a important measure, as the country refines about 90% of the global rare earth supply, which are utilized in products such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being interpreted by some as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances in preparation for future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a meeting between Donald Trump and President Xi, expected at a summit in Seoul in the coming weeks, will go ahead.