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The former US president’s most recent threat to impose an additional 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been labeled a “prime illustration” of US double standards, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A representative of the ministry further commented that China could introduce its own unrevealed “retaliatory steps” if the American leader executes his warning, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a possible trade war.

On Friday, Donald Trump hit back at Beijing’s move to strengthen its policies for overseas sales of rare earths, charging the Chinese leadership of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “hostage”.

Additionally, he warned to withdraw from a scheduled meeting with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was expected to take place during a summit in Seoul in the coming weeks.

His statements on that day rattled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 closing down over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since last spring.

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

This past spring, the two sides had consented to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

As a result, United States levies on Chinese imports incurring an added import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the country incur a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of formal replies to press queries – echoed rhetoric from the zenith of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced United States controls on electronic components while defending Beijing’s export controls on key elements as “standard procedures” to safeguard domestic safety and that of all nations.

Their representative remarked that for “many years”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, abused export control measures and “adopted unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the right way to engage with the Chinese government,” their representative said.

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war has remained steady: we are not seeking one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, China announced it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on rare earths and additional substances critical for cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the country refines about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in goods such as solar panels and handheld devices.

New remarks from the US and China are being interpreted by observers as a method of enhancing bargaining power in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a talks between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, expected at a summit in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will go ahead.