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The former US president’s newest threat 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 Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that Beijing could implement its own unrevealed “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant carries out his threat, adding that the country was “fearless” of a possible trade conflict.

This past Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at China’s decision to reinforce its regulations for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, charging China of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “hostage”.

Additionally, he vowed to withdraw from a scheduled talks with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was arranged for a summit in the Republic of Korea before the month ends.

Trump’s comments on Friday shook global markets, with the benchmark US stock index closing down nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since last spring.

These statements renewed apprehensions of a trade conflict between the two economic giants.

In May, the both nations had reached an agreement to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the two nations.

Consequently, United States levies on Chinese goods facing an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering China face a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the format of official answers to media inquiries – reflected terminology from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while justifying Beijing’s restrictions on exports on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to ensure national security and that of every country.

Their representative remarked that for “a long time”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” discriminatory practices against Beijing.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the right way to deal with China,” their representative said.

“The nation’s view” on a trade conflict has remained consistent: we are not seeking one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Last week, the Chinese government declared it was strengthening overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and additional substances critical for cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the state refines about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in items such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

The recent comments from Washington and Beijing are being seen by observers as a method of enhancing bargaining power prior to forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a talks between Trump and President Xi, scheduled at a conference in South Korea in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.