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Donald Trump’s newest warning to enforce an further full import duty on products from China has been labeled a “prime illustration” of US double standards, per the Chinese government.

A representative of the ministry also stated that Beijing could enact its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the US President follows through on his threat, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a possible trade conflict.

This past Friday, the former president hit back at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its policies for exports of rare earths, alleging the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

Furthermore, he threatened to withdraw from a planned summit with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was expected to take place during a conference in the Republic of Korea before the month ends.

His statements on Friday rattled global markets, with the S&P 500 share index dropping nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

His comments renewed concerns of a trade war between the United States and China.

Earlier this year, the two sides had agreed to eliminate high import duties on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the two countries.

Consequently, US tariffs on Chinese imports subject to an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering the country are subject to a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the Ministry of Commerce in the format of official answers to media inquiries – reflected rhetoric from the zenith of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while justifying China’s own restrictions on exports on rare earth minerals as “normal actions” to safeguard domestic safety and that of every country.

Their representative stated that for “many years”, the America had “overstretched the concept of state security, misused overseas sale restrictions and “adopted biased policies against China.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the right way to interact with China,” their representative said.

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

Recently, China announced it was strengthening export controls on rare earths and additional substances critical for cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the country refines about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are employed in items such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

The recent comments from the US and China are being viewed by observers as a method of enhancing bargaining power prior to future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, expected at a high-level meeting in Seoul later this month, will go ahead.