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Donald Trump’s most recent warning to impose an further 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been called a “typical example” of US double standards, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry also stated that China could enact its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the White House occupant executes his warning, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a looming trade war.

Last Friday, Trump responded at China’s decision to tighten its rules for exports of rare earths, accusing China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the world “hostage”.

Additionally, he threatened to pull out of a arranged talks with China’s President President Xi, which was set for a summit in the Republic of Korea later this month.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday unsettled financial markets, with the S&P 500 dropping over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

The president’s words renewed concerns of a trade conflict between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the both nations had consented to drop high import duties on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

Consequently, United States levies on products from China subject to an extra 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the Chinese market incur a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – released by the Commerce Ministry in the format of formal replies to press queries – echoed rhetoric from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while justifying China’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earths as “normal actions” to safeguard national security and that of every country.

The official stated that for “a long time”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, abused export control measures and “enforced” unfair treatments against China.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the right way to engage with Beijing,” the spokesperson said.

“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 revealed it was strengthening export controls on rare earths and additional substances essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the state handles about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are used in goods such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

The recent comments from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by analysts as a means of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of upcoming negotiations.

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