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The former US president’s most recent threat to introduce an additional full import duty on items imported from China has been described as a “prime illustration” of US double standards, per the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that China could enact its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the US President executes his warning, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a potential commercial battle.

Last Friday, the former president hit back at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its policies for foreign shipments of critical elements, charging the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “hostage”.

Furthermore, he threatened to pull out of a arranged talks with China’s President Xi, which was arranged for a summit in South Korea later this month.

The former president’s remarks on that day rattled global markets, with the S&P 500 dropping over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since last spring.

The president’s words reignited fears of a trade conflict between the two economic giants.

Earlier this year, the respective governments had agreed to eliminate high import duties on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of commerce ceasing between the two nations.

Consequently, American import duties on products from China incurring an extra import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the country face a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the Commerce Ministry in the form of written responses to journalist’s questions – echoed terminology from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced United States controls on semiconductors and chips while supporting the country’s own restrictions on exports on key elements as “standard procedures” to safeguard state interests and that of every country.

The spokesperson remarked that for “an extended period”, the US had “overstretched the concept of national security, exploited export control measures and “enforced” biased policies against China.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the correct approach to engage with Beijing,” their representative commented.

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war has consistently been unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Recently, China declared it was tightening overseas sale regulations on rare earths and additional substances critical for advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the country refines about 90% of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in items such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

Latest statements from the US and China are being interpreted by observers as a method of enhancing bargaining power prior to forthcoming discussions.

Remains uncertain whether a talks between Trump and China’s leader, planned at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea later this month, will take place as planned.