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The former US president’s newest ultimatum to enforce an extra complete levy on Chinese goods has been described as a “typical example” of US double standards, according to the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that Beijing could introduce its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the US President carries out his threat, noting that the country was “fearless” of a possible trade conflict.

This past Friday, the former president hit back at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its regulations for exports of rare earths, alleging the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “hostage”.

Furthermore, he vowed to pull out of a scheduled summit with China’s President Xi, which was set for a conference in Seoul before the month ends.

Trump’s comments on that day shook global markets, with the S&P 500 share index closing down over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since last spring.

His comments renewed fears of a trade war between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the both nations had reached an agreement to drop high import duties on each other’s products, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the economic powers.

As a result, United States levies on Chinese goods subject to an additional 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market are subject to a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of written responses to press queries – mirrored terminology from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while supporting Beijing’s export controls on rare earths as “standard procedures” to safeguard state interests and that of the global community.

Their representative said that for “a long time”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of state security, abused foreign shipment regulations and “enforced” biased policies against China.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the proper method to engage with Beijing,” the official said.

“Beijing’s stance” on a import duty dispute has remained steady: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government revealed it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and additional substances essential to cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the state handles about 90% of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in goods such as solar panels and handheld devices.

The recent comments from the US and China are being seen by analysts as a method of strengthening positions ahead of forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a summit between Trump and President Xi, scheduled at a summit in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will take place as planned.