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Trump’s newest threat to impose an extra 100% tariff on products from China has been called a “prime illustration” of US double standards, per the China’s leadership.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that China could enact its own unrevealed “countermeasures” if the US President follows through on his threat, adding that the country was “fearless” of a possible commercial battle.

This past Friday, the former president hit back at China’s decision to strengthen its policies for exports of rare earth minerals, accusing Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the world “captive”.

He also threatened to withdraw from a planned meeting with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was set for a summit in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday unsettled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 closing down over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since April.

His comments renewed fears of a trade war between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the two sides had agreed to drop high import duties on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of commerce ceasing between the economic powers.

As a result, US tariffs on Chinese imports incurring an extra 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the country face a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of written responses to media inquiries – reflected language from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned United States controls on electronic components while justifying the country’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to ensure domestic safety and that of all nations.

The official said that for “an extended period”, the US had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, abused export control measures and “implemented” unfair treatments against Beijing.

“Turning to” trade levy ultimatums is not the right way to interact with Beijing,” the spokesperson said.

“The nation’s view” on a tariff war has remained consistent: we wish to avoid one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Recently, the Chinese government announced it was tightening overseas sale regulations on rare earths and additional substances critical for high-technology production.

This was seen as a significant step, as the nation refines about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are employed in products such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

New remarks from both governments are being viewed by observers as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power prior to future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a summit between Trump and Xi Jinping, planned at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will go ahead.