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Donald Trump’s most recent warning to impose an additional complete levy on products from China has been labeled a “prime illustration” of US double standards, according to the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that Beijing could introduce its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the American leader executes his pledge, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a looming commercial battle.

Last Friday, Trump hit back at Beijing’s move to strengthen its regulations for exports of rare earths, charging the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

Additionally, he threatened to withdraw from a arranged talks with China’s President Xi, which was set for a conference in the Republic of Korea later this month.

Trump’s comments on Friday shook global markets, with the benchmark US stock index falling by 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

His comments renewed concerns of a commercial dispute between the two economic giants.

In May, the both nations had consented to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

This left, US tariffs on Chinese goods subject to an additional import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering the Chinese market face a 10% tariff.

The most recent comments from China – published by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of official answers to journalist’s questions – reflected language from the peak of the recent trade conflict.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while justifying Beijing’s export controls on rare earths as “normal actions” to safeguard domestic safety and that of every country.

Their representative said that for “many years”, the America had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, abused export control measures and “implemented” unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the right way to deal with China,” the spokesperson said.

“The nation’s view” on a trade conflict has consistently been steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, China announced it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on key elements and other materials critical for high-technology production.

This was seen as a significant step, as the nation processes about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in items such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

The recent comments from Washington and Beijing are being seen by some as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances prior to forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a meeting between the former president and President Xi, scheduled at a summit in South Korea in the coming weeks, will go ahead.