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The former US president’s most recent warning to enforce an further full import duty on Chinese goods has been described as a “classic case” of US double standards, as stated by the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that China could introduce its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the American leader follows through on his threat, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a looming commercial battle.

Last Friday, the former president hit back at China’s decision to tighten its rules for overseas sales of critical elements, alleging the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

He also vowed to pull out of a planned summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was expected to take place during a conference in South Korea before the month ends.

Trump’s comments on Friday unsettled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 closing down over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since last spring.

These statements revived apprehensions of a commercial dispute between the two economic giants.

This past spring, the both nations had agreed to eliminate significant levies on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the economic powers.

As a result, US tariffs on Chinese imports incurring an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the country face a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of written responses to media inquiries – mirrored language from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced United States controls on chips and semi-conductors while justifying Beijing’s restrictions on exports on rare earths as “standard procedures” to ensure state interests and that of all nations.

The spokesperson stated that for “an extended period”, the America had “overstretched the concept of state security, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Using” tariff threats is not the proper method to engage with the Chinese government,” the spokesperson commented.

“China’s position on a tariff war has remained unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Last week, China revealed it was tightening overseas sale regulations on key elements and further resources critical for cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the country handles about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are used in products such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

Latest statements from both governments are being interpreted by analysts as a means of strengthening positions prior to forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a meeting between Trump and Xi Jinping, planned at a summit in Seoul in the coming weeks, will still proceed.