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The former US president’s newest threat to impose an further full import duty on Chinese goods has been labeled a “typical example” of US double standards, per the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry also stated that Beijing could enact its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the American leader executes his threat, adding that the country was “unafraid” of a potential trade war.

On Friday, Donald Trump responded at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its rules for exports of rare earth minerals, charging Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

He also vowed to withdraw from a arranged talks with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was expected to take place during a meeting in the Republic of Korea later this month.

Trump’s comments on Friday unsettled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 dropping over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since April.

His comments revived concerns of a trade war between the US and China.

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

Consequently, US tariffs on Chinese goods incurring an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the country are subject to a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the Commerce Ministry in the form of written responses to journalist’s questions – echoed language from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

They criticised United States controls on electronic components while supporting the country’s own overseas sale regulations on key elements as “routine measures” to protect state interests and that of every country.

The spokesperson said that for “a long time”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “enforced” biased policies against China.

“Turning to” trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to deal with China,” their representative said.

“The nation’s view” on a import duty dispute has remained steady: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government declared it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earths and further resources essential to high-technology production.

This was seen as a key move, as the nation processes about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are used in items such as solar panels and smartphones.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by observers as a means of enhancing bargaining power in preparation for future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a summit between Trump and China’s leader, scheduled at a summit in Seoul later this month, will still proceed.