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Donald Trump’s latest ultimatum to enforce an additional 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been called a “classic case” of American hypocrisy, according to the Chinese government.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that Beijing could implement its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the American leader executes his threat, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a looming trade conflict.

Last Friday, the former president retaliated at Beijing’s move to reinforce its rules for exports of critical elements, accusing the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “hostage”.

He also vowed to cancel a planned talks with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was expected to take place during a summit in South Korea later this month.

His statements on Friday shook global markets, with the S&P 500 share index closing down over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since April.

These statements reignited concerns of a trade war between the United States and China.

In May, the both nations had consented to remove triple-digit tariffs on each other’s products, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

Consequently, American import duties on Chinese goods incurring an added thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering China incur a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of official answers to press queries – mirrored rhetoric from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on electronic components while defending Beijing’s export controls on key elements as “standard procedures” to safeguard domestic safety and that of every country.

Their representative stated that for “a long time”, the United States had “broadened the definition” of national security, exploited export control measures and “enforced” biased policies against the Chinese nation.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the right way to engage with China,” their representative commented.

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war has consistently been consistent: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Recently, China revealed it was strengthening export controls on key elements and additional substances critical for advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a important measure, as the country refines about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in items such as solar panels and mobile phones.

The recent comments from the US and China are being seen by observers as a method of bolstering negotiating stances in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a talks between Trump and President Xi, planned at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will take place as planned.