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Donald Trump’s most recent warning to introduce an additional complete levy on products from China has been described as a “typical example” of US double standards, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that Beijing could implement its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the US President follows through on his warning, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a looming trade conflict.

Last Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its rules for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, accusing China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

Furthermore, he threatened to cancel a arranged meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a summit in the Republic of Korea later this month.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday unsettled global markets, with the S&P 500 falling by nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since April.

These statements renewed concerns of a trade war between the two economic giants.

This past spring, the both nations had consented to drop significant levies on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

This left, American import duties on Chinese goods subject to an additional import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering China incur a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the relevant government department in the manner of formal replies to journalist’s questions – reflected rhetoric from the height of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while supporting Beijing’s restrictions on exports on rare earths as “routine measures” to ensure national security and that of the global community.

The official remarked that for “a long time”, the America had “overstretched the concept of national security, abused foreign shipment regulations and “adopted biased policies against Beijing.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the correct approach to deal with Beijing,” the official commented.

“Beijing’s stance” on a import duty dispute has always been steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

Last week, China announced it was strengthening export controls on rare earth minerals and other materials essential to high-technology production.

The action was viewed as a important measure, as the nation refines about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in goods such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

The recent comments from both governments are being interpreted by analysts as a method of enhancing bargaining power prior to future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between Trump and President Xi, expected at a high-level meeting in South Korea in the coming weeks, will go ahead.