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Donald Trump’s latest warning to introduce an further complete levy on items imported from China has been described as a “typical example” of US double standards, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that China could introduce its own unrevealed “retaliatory steps” if the US President carries out his warning, noting that the country was “fearless” of a potential commercial battle.

On Friday, the former president hit back at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its policies for overseas sales of rare earths, alleging the Chinese leadership of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “hostage”.

Furthermore, he warned to cancel a planned meeting with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was set for a conference in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

The former president’s remarks on Friday rattled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index dropping over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

The president’s words reignited concerns of a trade conflict between the United States and China.

This past spring, the two sides had reached an agreement to eliminate high import duties on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

This left, United States levies on Chinese goods incurring an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the country incur a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of formal replies to journalist’s questions – mirrored terminology from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while justifying Beijing’s overseas sale regulations on rare earths as “normal actions” to safeguard state interests and that of the global community.

Their representative stated that for “a long time”, the United States had “broadened the definition” of domestic safety, exploited export control measures and “adopted unfair treatments against China.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to deal with the Chinese government,” their representative said.

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has consistently been unchanging: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Recently, Beijing revealed it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earths and further resources vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a significant step, as the state processes about 90% of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in items such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by analysts as a means of bolstering negotiating stances prior to upcoming negotiations.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between the former president and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will still proceed.