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The former US president’s newest threat to enforce an further 100% tariff on products from China has been called a “typical example” of US double standards, as stated by the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry also stated that China could enact its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant executes his warning, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a possible trade war.

On Friday, Donald Trump hit back at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its regulations for foreign shipments of rare earths, accusing the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

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

The former president’s remarks on Friday rattled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 closing down 2.7%, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

These statements reignited concerns of a commercial dispute between the US and China.

In May, the respective governments had agreed to remove high import duties on each other’s products, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the two countries.

Consequently, US tariffs on products from China incurring an added import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering the country are subject to a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – issued by the relevant government department in the manner of written responses to journalist’s questions – mirrored terminology from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on electronic components while justifying Beijing’s restrictions on exports on key elements as “routine measures” to safeguard domestic safety and that of all nations.

The spokesperson stated that for “a long time”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, abused export control measures and “adopted biased policies against China.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the right way to engage with China,” the official said.

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war has always been steady: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, China announced it was strengthening overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and additional substances vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the nation refines about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in goods such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

Latest statements from both governments are being viewed by observers as a means of enhancing bargaining power ahead of future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a talks between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, planned at a conference in the Republic of Korea later this month, will still proceed.