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The former US president’s newest threat to impose an further complete levy on items imported from China has been described as a “classic case” of US double standards, according to the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that the nation could implement its own unrevealed “countermeasures” if the US President executes his warning, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a potential commercial battle.

Last Friday, Trump responded at Beijing’s move to tighten its rules for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, accusing China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

Furthermore, he warned to pull out of a planned meeting with China’s President Xi, which was set for a summit in the Republic of Korea before the month ends.

The former president’s remarks on that day rattled financial markets, with the S&P 500 closing down over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

His comments revived fears of a trade conflict between the US and China.

This past spring, the respective governments had consented to drop significant levies on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the two nations.

As a result, American import duties on products from China subject to an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering the Chinese market are subject to a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of written responses to media inquiries – mirrored rhetoric from the peak of the recent trade conflict.

They criticised United States controls on semiconductors and chips while justifying China’s own export controls on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to ensure domestic safety and that of all nations.

The spokesperson remarked that for “many years”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, misused foreign shipment regulations and “adopted biased policies against the Chinese nation.

“Turning to” import duty warnings is not the right way to engage with China,” their representative commented.

“The nation’s view” on a tariff war has consistently been steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government declared it was strengthening export controls on rare earth minerals and additional substances vital for high-technology production.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the country processes about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are used in goods such as solar panels and mobile phones.

The recent comments from both governments are being viewed by some as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power prior to forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a meeting between Trump and Xi Jinping, expected at a conference in Seoul later this month, will take place as planned.