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The former US president’s most recent ultimatum to impose an additional full import duty on items imported from China has been labeled a “typical example” of US double standards, per the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that Beijing could enact its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the White House occupant executes his warning, adding that the country was “unafraid” of a potential trade conflict.

Last Friday, Trump hit back at Beijing’s move to strengthen its policies for overseas sales of critical elements, accusing Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

Furthermore, he vowed to cancel a arranged summit with China’s President Xi, which was expected to take place during a summit in Seoul before the month ends.

Trump’s comments on Friday rattled stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index dropping 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

His comments renewed concerns of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

In May, the two sides had consented to remove high import duties on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the economic powers.

Consequently, United States levies on Chinese goods facing an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the country face a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the relevant government department in the form of official answers to media inquiries – reflected terminology from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned United States controls on electronic components while supporting Beijing’s restrictions on exports on key elements as “routine measures” to safeguard domestic safety and that of the global community.

Their representative said that for “a long time”, the US had “broadened the definition” of state security, exploited overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” biased policies against China.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the correct approach to engage with the Chinese government,” their representative stated.

“China’s position on a trade conflict has remained consistent: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Recently, Beijing declared it was tightening export controls on rare earth minerals and additional substances critical for cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the country refines about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in products such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

New remarks from the US and China are being seen by observers as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances prior to forthcoming discussions.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between Trump and China’s leader, expected at a summit in Seoul later this month, will take place as planned.