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Donald Trump’s most recent warning to enforce an further 100% tariff on items imported from China has been labeled a “typical example” of US double standards, according to the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that the nation could implement its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant executes his threat, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a potential trade war.

Last Friday, Donald Trump hit back at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its regulations for exports of rare earth minerals, accusing the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

Furthermore, he threatened to cancel a scheduled meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which was set for a summit in the Republic of Korea later this month.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday unsettled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 falling by 2.7%, marking its steepest fall since last spring.

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

This past spring, the both nations had reached an agreement to drop triple-digit tariffs on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the two countries.

This left, US tariffs on Chinese goods facing an added thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market are subject to a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of official answers to journalist’s questions – reflected terminology from the height of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned United States controls on electronic components while justifying China’s own restrictions on exports on rare earths as “routine measures” to ensure state interests and that of every country.

Their representative said that for “an extended period”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, misused overseas sale restrictions and “adopted biased policies against China.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the correct approach to interact with China,” the official said.

“The nation’s view” on a import duty dispute has remained unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

The previous week, Beijing revealed it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and additional substances vital for cutting-edge industry.

This was seen as a key move, as the nation handles about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are used in items such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

New remarks from the US and China are being interpreted by observers as a means of bolstering negotiating stances prior to future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a talks between Donald Trump and President Xi, expected at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will take place as planned.