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Trump’s newest threat to impose an further 100% tariff on products from China has been described as a “classic case” of US double standards, according to the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that the nation could introduce its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the American leader follows through on his warning, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a possible commercial battle.

Last Friday, Donald Trump hit back at China’s decision to tighten its rules for overseas sales of critical elements, accusing the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “hostage”.

Additionally, he vowed to cancel a arranged talks with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was set for a meeting in the Republic of Korea before the month ends.

Trump’s comments on that day shook stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index falling by over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since last spring.

These statements reignited apprehensions of a trade conflict between the two economic giants.

Earlier this year, the respective governments had reached an agreement to eliminate significant levies on each other’s products, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the economic powers.

This left, American import duties on Chinese goods subject to an extra import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering China face a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – released by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of formal replies to journalist’s questions – reflected language from the height of the recent trade conflict.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while supporting China’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to ensure state interests and that of the global community.

Their representative stated that for “a long time”, the America had “overstretched the concept of national security, abused export control measures and “enforced” biased policies against China.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the correct approach to engage with China,” the official commented.

“China’s position on a trade conflict has remained steady: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, Beijing declared it was strengthening export controls on rare earth minerals and additional substances vital for cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a significant step, as the state refines about 90% of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in items such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

The recent comments from Washington and Beijing are being seen by observers as a means of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of upcoming negotiations.

It is unclear whether a summit between Trump and China’s leader, scheduled at a high-level meeting in South Korea before month’s end, will take place as planned.