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The former US president’s latest warning to impose an further full import duty on items imported from China has been labeled a “typical example” of US double standards, per the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that China could introduce its own unrevealed “retaliatory steps” if the US President carries out his threat, adding that the country was “fearless” of a potential trade war.

On Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at Beijing’s move to strengthen its rules for exports of rare earth minerals, accusing the Chinese leadership of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “hostage”.

Additionally, he vowed to cancel a planned summit with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a conference in South Korea in the coming weeks.

His statements on that day rattled financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index closing down 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

His comments renewed apprehensions of a trade conflict between the two economic giants.

Earlier this year, the two sides had agreed to remove significant levies on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the economic powers.

As a result, US tariffs on Chinese goods incurring an additional import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering China incur a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the relevant government department in the format of official answers to press queries – mirrored rhetoric from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while supporting Beijing’s overseas sale regulations on key elements as “normal actions” to safeguard national security and that of every country.

The official stated that for “a long time”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, exploited export control measures and “implemented” biased policies against Beijing.

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

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has consistently been steady: we are not seeking one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, China declared it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and further resources critical for cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the country refines about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in items such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being seen by observers as a method of bolstering negotiating stances prior to forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a meeting between the former president and China’s leader, expected at a summit in Seoul before month’s end, will go ahead.