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Donald Trump’s newest threat to introduce an additional full import duty on Chinese goods has been labeled a “prime illustration” of US double standards, according to the Chinese government.

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that Beijing could implement its own unrevealed “countermeasures” if the American leader executes his threat, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a potential commercial battle.

On Friday, the former president responded at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its policies for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, alleging China of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

Furthermore, he warned to pull out of a arranged meeting with Chinese leader President Xi, which was arranged for a meeting in Seoul before the month ends.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday unsettled financial markets, with the S&P 500 dropping 2.7%, marking its steepest fall since April.

These statements renewed concerns of a commercial dispute between the US and China.

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

Consequently, US tariffs on Chinese imports facing an added 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 – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of official answers to press queries – echoed rhetoric from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while supporting the country’s own restrictions on exports on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to protect domestic safety and that of all nations.

The official said that for “a long time”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, abused foreign shipment regulations and “enforced” discriminatory practices against Beijing.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to deal with the Chinese government,” the official commented.

“The nation’s view” on a tariff war has remained consistent: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government revealed it was tightening overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and further resources essential to cutting-edge industry.

This was seen as a important measure, as the nation processes about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in items such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

The recent comments from Washington and Beijing are being interpreted by some as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power in preparation for upcoming negotiations.

It is unclear whether a summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, planned at a summit in South Korea later this month, will take place as planned.