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The former US president’s most recent ultimatum to introduce an extra 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been called a “classic case” of US double standards, as stated by the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that Beijing could enact its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the US President carries out his warning, adding that the country was “unafraid” of a possible trade conflict.

Last Friday, Trump responded at Beijing’s move to reinforce its rules for overseas sales of critical elements, charging Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

Additionally, he threatened to withdraw from a planned meeting with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was set for a meeting in Seoul in the coming weeks.

His statements on that day shook financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index falling by over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

The president’s words reignited concerns of a commercial dispute between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the two sides had consented to remove significant levies on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the two countries.

As a result, American import duties on Chinese goods subject to an added thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market are subject to a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – published by the relevant government department in the form of formal replies to press queries – echoed terminology from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced United States controls on semiconductors and chips while supporting China’s own restrictions on exports on key elements as “normal actions” to safeguard state interests and that of all nations.

The official said that for “many years”, the US had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, exploited overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Using” trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to engage with the Chinese government,” the official stated.

“The nation’s view” 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 key elements and further resources vital for cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the country processes about 90% of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in items such as solar panels and handheld devices.

Latest statements from both governments are being seen by some as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances prior to future trade talks.

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