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The former US president’s newest warning to introduce an extra 100% tariff on products from China has been described as a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry further commented that Beijing could enact its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the US President follows through on his warning, noting that the country was “fearless” of a potential trade conflict.

Last Friday, the former president responded at China’s decision to strengthen its policies for overseas sales of rare earths, alleging China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

Furthermore, he threatened to pull out of a scheduled summit with Chinese leader Xi, which was set for a summit in Seoul before the month ends.

His statements on that day unsettled financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index closing down 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

His comments reignited apprehensions of a commercial dispute between the two economic giants.

This past spring, the two sides had agreed to remove triple-digit tariffs on each other’s products, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the economic powers.

Consequently, American import duties on products from China facing an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering China are subject to a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the relevant government department in the manner of written responses to journalist’s questions – mirrored terminology from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while defending the country’s own restrictions on exports on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to protect state interests and that of the global community.

Their representative stated that for “many years”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, misused overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

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

“China’s position on a tariff war has consistently been consistent: we are not seeking one, but we are fearless of one.”

Last week, the Chinese government revealed it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earths and further resources essential to high-technology production.

This was seen as a key move, as the nation refines about 90% of the planet’s critical minerals, which are employed in products such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

The recent comments from Washington and Beijing are being seen by some as a means of strengthening positions in preparation for future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between Trump and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea later this month, will go ahead.