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Trump’s latest threat to introduce an further complete levy on Chinese goods has been labeled a “prime illustration” of US double standards, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that the nation could introduce its own unrevealed “responsive actions” if the White House occupant carries out his threat, adding that the country was “fearless” of a potential trade war.

This past Friday, Donald Trump hit back at Beijing’s move to strengthen its rules for foreign shipments of rare earths, alleging China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “hostage”.

Additionally, he warned to cancel a planned meeting with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was set for a conference in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

The former president’s remarks on that day unsettled global markets, with the S&P 500 falling by 2.7%, marking its steepest fall since April.

The president’s words renewed apprehensions of a trade conflict between the United States and China.

In May, the two sides had reached an agreement to drop triple-digit tariffs on each other’s products, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the two nations.

This left, American import duties on Chinese goods facing an added import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering China face a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of formal replies to press queries – reflected terminology from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while defending China’s own restrictions on exports on rare earths as “routine measures” to safeguard national security and that of all nations.

The official remarked that for “a long time”, the US had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, misused export control measures and “enforced” discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the correct approach to interact with China,” the official stated.

“The nation’s view” on a trade conflict has consistently been unchanging: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Recently, the Chinese government announced it was strengthening export controls on rare earths and additional substances critical for cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the state refines about 90% of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in items such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

The recent comments from Washington and Beijing are being interpreted by some as a means of enhancing bargaining power prior to forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a summit between the former president and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will go ahead.