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Trump’s most recent threat to enforce an extra 100% tariff on products from China has been called a “classic case” of US double standards, according to the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that China could enact its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the US President follows through on his warning, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a potential commercial battle.

On Friday, the former president responded at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its regulations for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, accusing the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

He also warned to pull out of a scheduled meeting with Chinese leader Xi, which was set for a meeting in South Korea later this month.

The former president’s remarks on Friday shook global markets, with the benchmark US stock index closing down 2.7%, marking its largest decline since last spring.

His comments reignited apprehensions of a trade conflict between the US and China.

This past spring, the respective governments had consented to drop high import duties on each other’s goods, which had led to concerns of commerce ceasing between the economic powers.

This left, American import duties on products from China facing an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market are subject to a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of official answers to media inquiries – echoed rhetoric from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while justifying the country’s own restrictions on exports on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to protect national security and that of the global community.

The spokesperson stated that for “a long time”, the America had “broadened the definition” of state security, abused overseas sale restrictions and “adopted discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the proper method to engage with China,” their representative stated.

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has consistently been steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, Beijing declared it was tightening export controls on rare earth minerals and additional substances critical for cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the nation refines about 90% of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in items such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

Latest statements from the US and China are being interpreted by some as a means of bolstering negotiating stances in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

Remains uncertain whether a talks between the former president and China’s leader, planned at a summit in South Korea in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.