China has accused the United States of “double standards” following President Donald Trump’s threat to impose an additional 100% tariff on Chinese goods, warning that Beijing is prepared to respond with countermeasures.
In a statement on Friday, a spokesperson for China’s Commerce Ministry said the country was “not afraid” of a potential trade war and would take “necessary actions” if Washington carried out its threat.
“Resorting to tariff threats is not the right way to engage with China,” the spokesperson said, accusing the U.S. of “abusing export control measures” and “adopting discriminatory practices” against Chinese firms.
Trump’s remarks came shortly after Beijing introduced new restrictions on exports of rare earth materials vital to global technology manufacturing. In reaction, the U.S. President accused China of being “very hostile” and hinted at pulling out of a scheduled meeting with President Xi Jinping later this month in South Korea.
The renewed tensions rattled global markets, with the S&P 500 dropping 2.7%, its sharpest decline since April. Analysts warn that the exchange could reignite trade frictions that had cooled earlier this year when both countries agreed to roll back some tariffs.
China defended its export restrictions, describing them as “normal actions” aimed at safeguarding national security. It also criticised Washington’s semiconductor export limits, accusing the U.S. of “overstretching the concept of national security for political gain.”
“China’s position on a tariff war remains unchanged — we do not seek one, but we are not afraid of one,” the spokesperson reaffirmed.
With uncertainty now surrounding the planned Trump–Xi meeting, global observers fear a renewed escalation in economic tensions between the world’s two largest economies.
