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Trump’s most recent warning to introduce an further 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been called a “classic case” of US double standards, according to the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that China could introduce its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant follows through on his threat, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a potential trade conflict.

On Friday, Trump retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its policies for exports of rare earth minerals, accusing China of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

Furthermore, he threatened to pull out of a planned talks with China’s President Xi, which was arranged for a summit in the Republic of Korea before the month ends.

His statements on that day rattled financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index falling by nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since last spring.

The president’s words revived fears of a commercial dispute between the two economic giants.

Earlier this year, the both nations had agreed to drop significant levies on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

This left, United States levies on Chinese goods facing an additional import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market are subject to a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of written responses to media inquiries – echoed rhetoric from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned United States controls on chips and semi-conductors while defending China’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “normal actions” to safeguard domestic safety and that of all nations.

The official remarked that for “many years”, the US had “overstretched the concept of national security, abused foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” biased policies against China.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to interact with China,” their representative stated.

“Beijing’s stance” on a import duty dispute has always been unchanging: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Last week, Beijing declared it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on key elements and other materials vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the nation refines about 90% of the planet’s critical minerals, which are employed in items such as solar panels and handheld devices.

New remarks from both governments are being seen by some as a means of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between the former president and China’s leader, expected at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will still proceed.