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Trump’s most recent warning to enforce an further full import duty on Chinese goods has been called a “prime illustration” of US double standards, per the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry further commented that China could introduce its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the US President follows through on his warning, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a looming commercial battle.

This past Friday, Donald Trump hit back at Beijing’s move to reinforce its rules for overseas sales of critical elements, alleging Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “hostage”.

Furthermore, he warned to cancel a planned talks with Chinese leader President Xi, which was arranged for a summit in South Korea before the month ends.

The former president’s remarks on Friday rattled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index falling by over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since April.

These statements renewed apprehensions of a commercial dispute between the US and China.

This past spring, the both nations had consented to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the two countries.

As a result, United States levies on products from China subject to an added thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering the country face a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of written responses to press queries – reflected terminology from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

They criticised US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while justifying the country’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “normal actions” to protect national security and that of all nations.

The official stated that for “an extended period”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of national security, misused export control measures and “adopted discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Turning to” import duty warnings is not the proper method to interact with China,” the official commented.

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

The previous week, Beijing declared it was tightening export controls on key elements and further resources critical for advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a key move, as the country processes about 90% of the world’s rare earths, which are used in items such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

New remarks from the US and China are being interpreted by analysts as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a talks between Donald Trump and President Xi, planned at a conference in the Republic of Korea later this month, will go ahead.