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The former US president’s most recent ultimatum to enforce an further complete levy on Chinese goods has been called a “prime illustration” of US double standards, according to the China’s leadership.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry also stated that the nation could introduce its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the American leader carries out his threat, adding that the country was “fearless” of a looming trade war.

Last Friday, the former president hit back at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its rules for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, charging China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

He also threatened to withdraw from a planned summit with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a conference in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

His statements on last Friday shook stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 closing down over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

The president’s words renewed apprehensions of a commercial dispute between the US and China.

In May, the both nations had consented to drop significant levies on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

This left, United States levies on products from China subject to an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the Chinese market incur a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of written responses to media inquiries – echoed language from the height of the recent trade conflict.

Officials denounced United States controls on electronic components while justifying China’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to protect state interests and that of the global community.

The spokesperson said that for “a long time”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, misused export control measures and “implemented” discriminatory practices against China.

“Turning to” import duty warnings is not the correct approach to interact with the Chinese government,” the official commented.

“Beijing’s stance” on a trade conflict has consistently been consistent: we are not seeking one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Last week, Beijing declared it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and additional substances essential to high-technology production.

This was seen as a important measure, as the country handles about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are utilized in goods such as solar panels and mobile phones.

New remarks from both governments are being interpreted by observers as a means of bolstering negotiating stances in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

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