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Trump’s newest threat to introduce an further 100% tariff on items imported from China has been called a “classic case” of US double standards, according to the Chinese government.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry also stated that Beijing could enact its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant follows through on his threat, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a possible trade conflict.

On Friday, Trump responded at China’s decision to tighten its policies for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, charging Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

Furthermore, he warned to withdraw from a planned talks with China’s President President Xi, which was set for a summit in South Korea in the coming weeks.

The former president’s remarks on that day rattled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 dropping over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since last spring.

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

Earlier this year, the two sides had agreed to eliminate significant levies on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the two nations.

Consequently, United States levies on Chinese goods incurring an added thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the Chinese market face a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the Commerce Ministry in the format of official answers to media inquiries – echoed language from the peak of the recent trade conflict.

They criticised US export restrictions on chips and semi-conductors while defending the country’s own overseas sale regulations on key elements as “standard procedures” to safeguard state interests and that of the global community.

The official stated that for “many years”, the US had “overstretched the concept of state security, exploited export control measures and “adopted discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the correct approach to interact with Beijing,” their representative commented.

“The nation’s view” on a import duty dispute has remained unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Recently, Beijing declared it was tightening overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and further resources essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the country refines about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in items such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

The recent comments from both governments are being viewed by some as a means of strengthening positions in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a talks between Donald Trump and President Xi, planned at a conference in South Korea later this month, will go ahead.