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Trump’s newest warning to impose an extra 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been described as a “classic case” of US double standards, according to the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that China could implement its own unrevealed “responsive actions” if the White House occupant follows through on his threat, adding that the country was “unafraid” of a possible trade conflict.

On Friday, Donald Trump hit back at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its policies for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, alleging the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “hostage”.

Additionally, he warned to pull out of a scheduled meeting with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a conference in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on last Friday rattled financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index falling by 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

These statements revived fears of a trade conflict between the US and China.

This past spring, the two sides had agreed to drop significant levies on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

Consequently, United States levies on products from China facing an additional import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the country face a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – issued by the relevant government department in the format of formal replies to journalist’s questions – echoed rhetoric from the height of the recent trade conflict.

Officials denounced US export restrictions on electronic components while supporting China’s own restrictions on exports on rare earths as “standard procedures” to ensure national security and that of the global community.

Their representative said that for “many years”, the US had “broadened the definition” of national security, misused foreign shipment regulations and “adopted unfair treatments against China.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the proper method to deal with China,” the spokesperson stated.

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has consistently been steady: we are not seeking one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, Beijing declared it was tightening export controls on key elements and further resources critical for high-technology production.

The action was viewed as a important measure, as the state processes about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are utilized in products such as renewable energy components and mobile phones.

The recent comments from both governments are being viewed by some as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances prior to upcoming negotiations.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between Trump and China’s leader, scheduled at a conference in South Korea before month’s end, will still proceed.