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The former US president’s latest warning to introduce an extra complete levy on items imported from China has been labeled a “prime illustration” of US double standards, per the China’s leadership.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that Beijing could implement its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the US President executes his warning, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a possible trade war.

On Friday, Donald Trump responded at China’s decision to strengthen its regulations for overseas sales of critical elements, alleging China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

Furthermore, he vowed to withdraw from a planned meeting with China’s President President Xi, which was arranged for a conference in South Korea in the coming weeks.

The former president’s remarks on that day shook financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index dropping 2.7%, marking its largest decline since last spring.

His comments revived apprehensions of a commercial dispute between the two economic giants.

In May, the both nations had consented to remove high import duties on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

As a result, United States levies on Chinese imports incurring an extra import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering the country incur a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the Ministry of Commerce in the format of official answers to media inquiries – reflected terminology from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while defending China’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earths as “normal actions” to safeguard state interests and that of the global community.

The spokesperson said that for “a long time”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, exploited export control measures and “adopted discriminatory practices against Beijing.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the right way to interact with the Chinese government,” the official said.

“China’s position on a tariff war has remained consistent: we are not seeking one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Recently, the Chinese government declared it was reinforcing export controls on key elements and additional substances critical for high-technology production.

This was seen as a significant step, as the country processes about 90% of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in products such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being seen by analysts as a method of strengthening positions ahead of upcoming negotiations.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between the former president and Xi Jinping, planned at a conference in Seoul later this month, will take place as planned.