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Donald Trump’s newest ultimatum 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 Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that China could introduce its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the White House occupant executes his pledge, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a possible trade war.

This past Friday, the former president retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its rules for foreign shipments of critical elements, charging China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

Additionally, he threatened to cancel a planned meeting with China’s President President Xi, which was set for a meeting in the Republic of Korea before the month ends.

Trump’s comments on that day shook financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index falling by nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

His comments renewed apprehensions of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

This past spring, the both nations had agreed to remove high import duties on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of commerce ceasing between the two nations.

As a result, US tariffs on Chinese goods incurring an extra import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the Chinese market are subject to a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – released by the relevant government department in the manner of official answers to press queries – echoed terminology from the peak of the recent trade conflict.

They criticised US export restrictions on chips and semi-conductors while justifying the country’s own export controls on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to ensure domestic safety and that of all nations.

Their representative stated that for “a long time”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, misused foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” biased policies against Beijing.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the proper method to deal with the Chinese government,” their representative commented.

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has always been steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Recently, Beijing declared it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and additional substances essential to high-technology production.

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

Latest statements from both governments are being viewed by analysts as a means of enhancing bargaining power ahead of upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a summit between the former president and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a high-level meeting in Seoul later this month, will go ahead.