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Trump’s newest warning to enforce an additional 100% tariff on products from China has been labeled a “prime illustration” of US double standards, according to the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that Beijing could implement its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the American leader executes his pledge, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a potential trade war.

On Friday, the former president responded at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its regulations for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, accusing Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “hostage”.

He also vowed to withdraw from a planned talks with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was expected to take place during a conference in the Republic of Korea before the month ends.

Trump’s comments on that day shook stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index falling by nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

His comments reignited fears of a trade conflict between the United States and China.

This past spring, the respective governments had agreed to drop high import duties on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the two countries.

This left, American import duties on Chinese goods incurring an additional import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering China incur a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the relevant government department in the form of formal replies to press queries – echoed rhetoric from the height of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned United States controls on chips and semi-conductors while supporting Beijing’s restrictions on exports on rare earths as “standard procedures” to safeguard state interests and that of every country.

Their representative said that for “many years”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “adopted unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the right way to interact with Beijing,” their representative stated.

“The nation’s view” on a tariff war has consistently been steady: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Last week, Beijing declared it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and other materials essential to high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the nation processes about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are utilized in items such as renewable energy components and mobile phones.

New remarks from the US and China are being interpreted by analysts as a method of bolstering negotiating stances in preparation for future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a summit between Trump and President Xi, planned at a summit in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will go ahead.