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

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry also stated that the nation could implement its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the US President carries out his pledge, noting that the country was “fearless” of a possible trade war.

Last Friday, Trump responded at China’s decision to strengthen its rules for foreign shipments of critical elements, charging China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the world “captive”.

Additionally, he threatened to pull out of a planned summit with China’s President President Xi, which was set for a meeting in Seoul before the month ends.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday shook stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index dropping 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

The president’s words revived apprehensions of a trade war between the United States and China.

In May, the both nations had agreed to remove high import duties on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the economic powers.

This left, US tariffs on Chinese imports incurring an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering China are subject to a ten percent duty.

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

They criticised US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while defending China’s own restrictions on exports on rare earths as “normal actions” to ensure state interests and that of the global community.

The official stated that for “many years”, the US had “overstretched the concept of national security, misused export control measures and “implemented” biased policies against China.

“Using” tariff threats is not the correct approach to engage with China,” the spokesperson commented.

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

Recently, Beijing declared it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and other materials essential to high-technology production.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the country handles about 90% of the global rare earth supply, which are utilized in goods such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being seen by observers as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances prior to upcoming negotiations.

Remains uncertain whether a talks between the former president and China’s leader, planned at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will still proceed.