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The former US president’s most recent warning to impose an extra complete levy on items imported from China has been called a “typical example” of US double standards, per the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that Beijing could enact its own unrevealed “countermeasures” if the White House occupant follows through on his threat, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a possible commercial battle.

This past Friday, the former president hit back at Beijing’s move to strengthen its regulations for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, charging China of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

Additionally, he threatened to withdraw from a planned summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was set for a conference in Seoul before the month ends.

Trump’s comments on that day rattled financial markets, with the S&P 500 falling by nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

The president’s words reignited fears of a trade conflict between the two economic giants.

This past spring, the both nations had agreed to remove significant levies on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

As a result, US tariffs on products from China facing an added thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering China incur a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of official answers to press queries – mirrored rhetoric from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

They criticised American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while defending Beijing’s restrictions on exports on key elements as “routine measures” to ensure national security and that of all nations.

The official stated that for “an extended period”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, misused overseas sale restrictions and “adopted unfair treatments against Beijing.

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

“China’s position on a tariff war has remained consistent: we wish to avoid one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government declared it was tightening export controls on rare earths and other materials essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the nation refines about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are utilized in products such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

The recent comments from the US and China are being seen by analysts as a method of strengthening positions ahead of forthcoming discussions.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between Trump and President Xi, expected at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea later this month, will take place as planned.