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Donald Trump’s most recent threat to introduce an extra 100% tariff on products from China has been described as a “prime illustration” of US double standards, as stated by the Chinese government.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that China could implement its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the US President executes his threat, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a possible trade war.

This past Friday, Trump hit back at Beijing’s move to strengthen its policies for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, alleging Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “hostage”.

Furthermore, he threatened to pull out of a planned talks with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was set for a meeting in South Korea in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on Friday rattled financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index dropping 2.7%, marking its largest decline since last spring.

The president’s words revived apprehensions of a trade war between the two economic giants.

In May, the two sides had reached an agreement to eliminate high import duties on each other’s goods, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

This left, United States levies on Chinese goods subject to an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering China face a import levy.

The most recent comments from China – released by the Ministry of Commerce in the format of written responses to media inquiries – mirrored language from the peak of the recent trade conflict.

Officials denounced United States controls on chips and semi-conductors while defending the country’s own restrictions on exports on key elements as “standard procedures” to ensure state interests and that of every country.

Their representative stated that for “an extended period”, the America had “broadened the definition” of national security, exploited overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” biased policies against Beijing.

“Turning to” import duty warnings is not the right way to interact with China,” their representative stated.

“China’s position on a tariff war has consistently been consistent: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Last week, the Chinese government announced it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on key elements and other materials vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a significant step, as the nation processes about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in goods such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

New remarks from the US and China are being seen by analysts as a means of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of upcoming negotiations.

It is unclear whether a talks between the former president and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a conference in Seoul before month’s end, will take place as planned.