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Trump’s latest warning to introduce an further 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been labeled a “classic case” of US double standards, as stated by the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that Beijing could enact its own unrevealed “retaliatory steps” if the American leader follows through on his warning, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a potential trade war.

This past Friday, the former president retaliated at China’s decision to tighten its regulations for exports of critical elements, charging the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

Additionally, he warned to cancel a scheduled summit with Chinese leader Xi, which was expected to take place during a meeting in the Republic of Korea later this month.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday rattled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index falling by over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

The president’s words reignited fears of a trade conflict between the two economic giants.

In May, the two sides had consented to eliminate high import duties on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of trade halting between the economic powers.

As a result, United States levies on Chinese goods facing an extra 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering the country are subject to a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the relevant government department in the format of official answers to press queries – reflected rhetoric from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced US export restrictions on electronic components while defending the country’s own restrictions on exports on key elements as “normal actions” to protect state interests and that of every country.

Their representative said that for “many years”, the US had “overstretched the concept of national security, misused overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” discriminatory practices against Beijing.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the right way to engage with China,” the spokesperson stated.

“China’s position on a trade conflict has consistently been steady: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, Beijing announced it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earths and additional substances critical for high-technology production.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the country processes about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are employed in goods such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

New remarks from the US and China are being interpreted by observers as a method of bolstering negotiating stances in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between Trump and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a conference in Seoul before month’s end, will take place as planned.