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Donald Trump’s latest ultimatum to enforce an extra 100% tariff on items imported from China has been called a “classic case” of US double standards, as stated by the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that China could implement its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the American leader executes his pledge, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a potential trade conflict.

Last Friday, the former president hit back at Beijing’s move to tighten its rules for foreign shipments of rare earths, charging Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “hostage”.

Additionally, he vowed to pull out of a arranged summit with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was expected to take place during a conference in Seoul in the coming weeks.

The former president’s remarks on Friday shook stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index closing down nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

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

This past spring, the respective governments had agreed to remove significant levies on each other’s products, which had led to concerns of trade halting between the economic powers.

Consequently, American import duties on products from China subject to an added thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering China are subject to a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of official answers to media inquiries – mirrored rhetoric from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while justifying China’s own restrictions on exports on rare earths as “standard procedures” to protect national security and that of the global community.

The spokesperson stated that for “a long time”, the America had “overstretched the concept of state security, misused foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” unfair treatments against Beijing.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the proper method to interact with the Chinese government,” the spokesperson stated.

“Beijing’s stance” on a trade conflict has always been steady: we are not seeking one, but we are fearless of one.”

The previous week, Beijing declared it was tightening overseas sale regulations on rare earths and additional substances critical for cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the state refines about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in products such as solar panels and mobile phones.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by analysts as a method of enhancing bargaining power in preparation for upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a summit between Donald Trump and President Xi, planned at a conference in Seoul in the coming weeks, will still proceed.