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Donald Trump’s newest ultimatum to introduce an additional complete levy on Chinese goods has been labeled a “classic case” of US double standards, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A representative of the ministry also stated that the nation could introduce its own unrevealed “retaliatory steps” if the American leader follows through on his pledge, adding that the country was “unafraid” of a possible trade war.

On Friday, the former president responded at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its policies for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, accusing China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

Additionally, he threatened to cancel a planned summit with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a conference in the Republic of Korea later this month.

Trump’s comments on Friday unsettled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index dropping over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

These statements reignited fears of a trade war between the two economic giants.

Earlier this year, the respective governments had consented to remove significant levies on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of commerce ceasing between the two countries.

Consequently, US tariffs on Chinese imports incurring an extra 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering the country are subject to a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of written responses to press queries – echoed rhetoric from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced United States controls on electronic components while justifying China’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals 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, exploited export control measures and “enforced” biased policies against the Chinese nation.

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

“The nation’s view” on a import duty dispute has remained consistent: we do not want one, but we are fearless of one.”

Recently, Beijing declared it was reinforcing export controls on key elements and other materials essential to cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the nation handles about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in items such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

New remarks from the US and China are being viewed by some as a means of enhancing bargaining power ahead of upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between the former president and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a conference in South Korea in the coming weeks, will go ahead.