Beijing accused Washington on Sunday of “double standards” after US President Donald Trump announced a 100% additional tariff on the world’s second-largest economy.

A spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said in an online statement: “The relevant US statement is a clear example of double standards.”

Trump stated on Friday that he would impose the additional tariffs, set to take effect on November 1, in response to what he described as China’s “very strict” new export controls on rare earth metals.

He also threatened to cancel a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping scheduled for later this month.

On Sunday, Beijing accused the US of escalating economic measures against China since September.

The Ministry of Commerce said: “These measures… have severely harmed China’s interests and seriously undermined the atmosphere of economic and trade talks between the two sides.”

It added: “The threat to impose high tariffs at every turn is not the right approach to dealing with China.”

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce pointed out that the October 9 export control measures on rare earth metals are “legitimate” and designed to promote global peace and regional stability, clarifying that they “do not constitute an export ban; licenses will be granted for qualifying requests.”

The ministry’s statement said that the export controls on rare earth metals are necessary given the military applications of medium and heavy rare earth metals and the “current turbulent global situation and recurring military conflicts.”

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce explained that the export controls are designed to better fulfill international commitments, such as non-proliferation.

It added: “Before announcing these measures, China notified relevant countries and regions through bilateral dialogue mechanisms about export controls.”

The Ministry of Commerce said that “China is ready to enhance dialogue and exchanges on export controls with all countries to better ensure the security and stability of global industrial and supply chains.”

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce expressed confidence that the latest export control measures on rare earth metals will have a “very limited impact” on production and supply chains.