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The former US president’s latest threat to impose an additional full import duty on Chinese goods has been called a “typical example” of US double standards, per the China’s leadership.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that China could implement its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the US President executes his pledge, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a potential trade war.

On Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at Beijing’s move to reinforce its policies for exports of rare earth minerals, alleging the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

Additionally, he warned to withdraw from a arranged talks with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was arranged for a conference in South Korea before the month ends.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday unsettled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index dropping nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since last spring.

These statements renewed fears of a trade conflict between the United States and China.

This past spring, the two sides had reached an agreement to remove high import duties on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the two countries.

Consequently, American import duties on products from China incurring an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering China are subject to a import levy.

The most recent comments from China – released by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of formal replies to media inquiries – reflected terminology from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while defending the country’s own restrictions on exports on rare earth minerals as “normal actions” to ensure domestic safety and that of every country.

The spokesperson said that for “many years”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, misused export control measures and “enforced” discriminatory practices against Beijing.

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

“China’s position on a trade conflict has always been unchanging: we do not want one, but we are fearless of one.”

Recently, the Chinese government declared it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earths and additional substances vital for cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the state handles about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in items such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being seen by analysts as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a talks between Trump and President Xi, planned at a summit in Seoul later this month, will go ahead.