The US-China trade war intensified on Sunday after Beijing accused Washington of “double standards” following President Donald Trump’s decision to impose an additional 100% tariff on Chinese goods. “The relevant US statement is a typical example of double standards,” China’s ministry of commerce said in a statement, according to Reuters.The ministry reaffirmed Beijing’s stance on trade disputes, stating, “China’s position on tariff wars has been consistent. We do not want to fight, but we are not afraid to fight.”Beijing further accused Washington of escalating economic pressure since September, warning that the US approach was damaging trade relations.“These actions… have severely harmed China’s interests and seriously undermined the atmosphere of the economic and trade talks between the two sides,” the commerce ministry said.“Threatening high tariffs at every turn is not the right approach to engaging with China,” it added.These remarks came after Trump announced an additional 100% tariff on Chinese goods starting November 1, raising the overall tariff rate on Chinese imports to about 130%.

Trump also hinted at canceling a planned meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping later this month, further clouding prospects for dialogue.This move came after Beijing’s October 9 decision to impose strict new controls on rare earth exports elements, materials critical to US defense, electric vehicle, and clean-energy industries, further deepening tensions in the ongoing trade dispute.