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Trump’s latest warning to enforce an further complete levy on items imported from China has been called a “prime illustration” of US double standards, as stated by the Chinese government.

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that China could enact its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the American leader follows through on his pledge, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a looming commercial battle.

This past Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at Beijing’s move to reinforce its policies for overseas sales of critical elements, charging China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the world “hostage”.

He also vowed to withdraw from a planned meeting with China’s President President Xi, which was set for a conference in South Korea later this month.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday unsettled global markets, with the S&P 500 share index closing down over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

The president’s words reignited concerns of a trade conflict between the two economic giants.

Earlier this year, the respective governments had reached an agreement to drop high import duties on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the economic powers.

This left, US tariffs on Chinese imports facing an added import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering the Chinese market incur a import levy.

The most recent comments from China – published by the Commerce Ministry in the form of written responses to journalist’s questions – echoed language from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while defending the country’s own export controls on rare earths as “routine measures” to ensure national security and that of the global community.

The spokesperson stated that for “a long time”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, misused foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Turning to” import duty warnings is not the right way to deal with Beijing,” their representative stated.

“China’s position on a tariff war has always been unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Recently, Beijing announced it was tightening export controls on rare earth minerals and other materials vital for cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the state processes about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are utilized in goods such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

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

It is unclear whether a meeting between Trump and China’s leader, planned at a conference in South Korea in the coming weeks, will go ahead.