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Donald Trump’s newest warning to introduce an additional 100% tariff on items imported from China has been described as a “typical example” of US double standards, according to the Chinese government.

A representative of the ministry further commented that China could introduce its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the US President carries out his warning, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a looming commercial battle.

This past Friday, Donald Trump hit back at Beijing’s move to strengthen its policies for foreign shipments of rare earths, accusing China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

Additionally, he warned to cancel a scheduled summit with Chinese leader Xi, which was arranged for a summit in Seoul in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on that day unsettled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 falling by nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since April.

These statements reignited apprehensions of a trade war between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the two sides had consented to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

As a result, American import duties on Chinese goods subject to an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market incur a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the relevant government department in the form of official answers to journalist’s questions – echoed language from the zenith of the latest commercial tensions.

They criticised United States controls on electronic components while defending Beijing’s restrictions on exports on key elements as “standard procedures” to ensure national security and that of the global community.

Their representative said that for “a long time”, the US had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, misused overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” biased policies against Beijing.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the proper method to interact with the Chinese government,” their representative commented.

“The nation’s view” on a import duty dispute has consistently been unchanging: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Last week, the Chinese government revealed it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on rare earths and other materials critical for high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the nation processes about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are utilized in items such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

The recent comments from both governments are being seen by analysts as a method of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between the former president and China’s leader, expected at a high-level meeting in Seoul before month’s end, will go ahead.