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Trump’s most recent ultimatum to impose an additional 100% tariff on items imported from China has been described as a “classic case” of US double standards, as stated by the Chinese government.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that China could enact its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the American leader executes his warning, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a potential trade war.

This past Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at Beijing’s move to strengthen its policies for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, alleging the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

Additionally, he threatened to withdraw from a scheduled meeting with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a meeting in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

His statements on Friday unsettled financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index closing down nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since last spring.

His comments renewed concerns of a trade war between the United States and China.

In May, the both nations had agreed to eliminate significant levies on each other’s goods, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

Consequently, United States levies on Chinese imports incurring an added thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering China are subject to a import levy.

The most recent comments from China – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of official answers to journalist’s questions – reflected terminology from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

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

Their representative said that for “many years”, the America had “broadened the definition” of domestic safety, abused export control measures and “enforced” unfair treatments against Beijing.

“Turning to” trade levy ultimatums is not the correct approach to deal with China,” the spokesperson commented.

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war has consistently been consistent: we do not want one, but we are fearless of one.”

Last week, the Chinese government declared it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and further resources critical for cutting-edge industry.

This was seen as a key move, as the country refines about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in goods such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being interpreted by some as a method of enhancing bargaining power in preparation for upcoming negotiations.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between the former president and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea later this month, will still proceed.