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The former US president’s newest warning to introduce an additional 100% tariff on items imported from China has been labeled a “typical example” of US double standards, per the Chinese government.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that the nation could introduce its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the White House occupant carries out his threat, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a possible trade war.

This past Friday, the former president retaliated at Beijing’s move to tighten its regulations for exports of critical elements, charging the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “hostage”.

Furthermore, he threatened to cancel a scheduled talks with Chinese leader Xi, which was arranged for a summit in Seoul before the month ends.

His statements on last Friday unsettled global markets, with the S&P 500 closing down 2.7%, marking its largest decline since last spring.

The president’s words reignited apprehensions of a trade conflict between the US and China.

In May, the both nations had agreed to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s products, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the two nations.

As a result, United States levies on Chinese goods incurring an added thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products 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 written responses to journalist’s questions – echoed terminology from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while justifying the country’s own overseas sale regulations on key elements as “routine measures” to protect national security and that of every country.

The spokesperson stated that for “many years”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, exploited export control measures and “adopted unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Turning to” trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to engage with Beijing,” the spokesperson commented.

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war has consistently been consistent: we wish to avoid one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Recently, Beijing declared it was reinforcing export controls on rare earth minerals and other materials critical for cutting-edge industry.

This was seen as a significant step, as the state refines about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are used in products such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

New remarks from the US and China are being interpreted by observers as a method of enhancing bargaining power prior to future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between Donald Trump and President Xi, expected at a high-level meeting in South Korea later this month, will go ahead.