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The former US president’s newest warning to impose an further 100% tariff on items imported from China has been described as a “classic case” of US double standards, per the China’s leadership.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry also stated that China could implement its own unrevealed “countermeasures” if the White House occupant follows through on his warning, adding that the country was “unafraid” of a looming trade conflict.

On Friday, Trump hit back at China’s decision to reinforce its policies for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, alleging Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

He also threatened to pull out of a arranged summit with China’s President President Xi, which was set for a summit in South Korea in the coming weeks.

His statements on last Friday rattled financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index closing down 2.7%, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

His comments renewed concerns of a commercial dispute between the US and China.

This past spring, the respective governments had consented to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the two countries.

This left, United States levies on Chinese goods incurring an extra 30% levy 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 – published by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of official answers to press queries – mirrored rhetoric from the peak of the recent trade conflict.

They criticised American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while defending the country’s own restrictions on exports on key elements as “routine measures” to protect national security and that of every country.

Their representative said that for “an extended period”, the US had “overstretched the concept of state security, misused foreign shipment regulations and “adopted biased policies against Beijing.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to interact with the Chinese government,” their representative commented.

“China’s position on a trade conflict has always been steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Recently, the Chinese government revealed it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and other materials vital for cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the state processes about 90% of the global rare earth supply, which are used in goods such as renewable energy components and mobile phones.

New remarks from both governments are being interpreted by some as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a summit between Donald Trump and President Xi, planned at a conference in the Republic of Korea later this month, will take place as planned.