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Trump’s most recent ultimatum to enforce an extra 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 official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that Beijing could introduce its own unrevealed “responsive actions” if the US President carries out his threat, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a possible trade conflict.

On Friday, the former president retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its policies for overseas sales of critical elements, alleging Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

Additionally, he warned to pull out of a planned summit with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was expected to take place during a conference in South Korea later this month.

His statements on last Friday shook global markets, with the S&P 500 closing down over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

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

In May, the respective governments had consented to drop high import duties on each other’s goods, which had led to concerns of commerce ceasing between the two nations.

Consequently, American import duties on products from China facing an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the country incur a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – published by the relevant government department in the format of official answers to press queries – mirrored language from the height of the recent trade conflict.

They criticised American limits on exports on electronic components while supporting China’s own restrictions on exports on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to safeguard domestic safety and that of all nations.

The spokesperson said that for “a long time”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, misused foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the correct approach to engage with Beijing,” the official said.

“Beijing’s stance” on a import duty dispute has always been unchanging: we do not want one, but we are fearless of one.”

The previous week, China revealed it was strengthening export controls on rare earth minerals and other materials critical for advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a significant step, as the nation refines about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in items such as solar panels and smartphones.

The recent comments from both governments are being interpreted by some as a method of strengthening positions ahead of future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a summit between the former president and China’s leader, scheduled at a summit in the Republic of Korea later this month, will go ahead.