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Trump’s newest warning to impose an further 100% tariff on products from China has been labeled a “classic case” of US double standards, according to the Chinese government.

A representative of the ministry also stated that Beijing could implement its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the American leader executes his threat, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a looming trade conflict.

On Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at Beijing’s move to reinforce its regulations for overseas sales of rare earths, alleging the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “hostage”.

He also vowed to pull out of a arranged meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a summit in Seoul in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on Friday unsettled financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index closing down nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since last spring.

The president’s words renewed apprehensions of a trade war between the US and China.

This past spring, the respective governments had consented to remove triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the two nations.

Consequently, US tariffs on Chinese goods incurring an added thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the Chinese market are subject to a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of written responses to media inquiries – echoed terminology from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

They criticised US export restrictions on chips and semi-conductors while supporting China’s own export controls on rare earth minerals as “normal actions” to protect domestic safety and that of every country.

Their representative stated that for “an extended period”, the US had “broadened the definition” of state security, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “adopted biased policies against Beijing.

“Using” trade levy ultimatums is not the correct approach to deal with the Chinese government,” their representative said.

“Beijing’s stance” on a trade conflict has consistently been steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Last week, Beijing announced it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and other materials essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a significant step, as the state handles about 90% of the planet’s critical minerals, which are employed in products such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being seen by observers as a means of strengthening positions ahead of forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a summit between the former president and Xi Jinping, planned at a high-level meeting in South Korea in the coming weeks, will still proceed.