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The former US president’s newest ultimatum to introduce an extra full import duty on products from China has been labeled a “typical example” of US double standards, as stated by the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that China could implement its own unrevealed “retaliatory steps” if the US President executes his threat, adding that the country was “unafraid” of a possible trade conflict.

This past Friday, Trump responded at China’s decision to tighten its policies for exports of critical elements, charging China of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

He also warned to cancel a planned meeting with China’s President Xi, which was arranged for a summit in South Korea later this month.

His statements on last Friday unsettled financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index falling by nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since April.

His comments revived concerns of a trade war between the United States and China.

In May, the two sides had consented to remove triple-digit tariffs on each other’s products, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the two countries.

This left, United States levies on Chinese goods facing an additional 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering the country incur a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of formal replies to press queries – echoed language from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced United States controls on semiconductors and chips while justifying China’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earths as “standard procedures” to safeguard domestic safety and that of every country.

Their representative remarked that for “many years”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, exploited export control measures and “adopted biased policies against Beijing.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the right way to deal with the Chinese government,” the official said.

“China’s position on a tariff war has always been steady: we are not seeking one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Last week, China declared it was tightening overseas sale regulations on rare earths and other materials essential to high-technology production.

This was seen as a key move, as the state processes about 90% of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in products such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

The recent comments from both governments are being viewed by observers as a method of strengthening positions prior to upcoming negotiations.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between Donald Trump and China’s leader, planned at a conference in Seoul later this month, will take place as planned.