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Donald Trump’s most recent warning to enforce an additional complete levy on products from China has been labeled a “typical example” of US double standards, per the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry further commented that China could enact its own unrevealed “responsive actions” if the US President follows through on his pledge, adding that the country was “fearless” of a possible trade conflict.

This past Friday, Trump retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its regulations for exports of rare earths, charging China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

He also threatened to withdraw from a scheduled talks with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was expected to take place during a conference in South Korea in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on last Friday unsettled financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index closing down over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since April.

These statements renewed fears of a trade war between the US and China.

This past spring, the two sides had consented to remove triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of commerce ceasing between the two countries.

As a result, American import duties on products from China subject to an extra 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering the country are subject to a import levy.

The most recent comments from China – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the format of formal replies to press queries – mirrored language from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised United States controls on chips and semi-conductors while defending the country’s own restrictions on exports on rare earths as “standard procedures” to safeguard national security and that of every country.

Their representative said that for “many years”, the US had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, misused export control measures and “implemented” discriminatory practices against Beijing.

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

“Beijing’s stance” on a import duty dispute has always been consistent: we wish to avoid one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Recently, Beijing announced it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on key elements and further resources vital for cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the nation processes about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are utilized in items such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

The recent comments from the US and China are being viewed by some as a method of bolstering negotiating stances prior to upcoming negotiations.

It is unclear whether a talks between the former president and China’s leader, planned at a conference in the Republic of Korea later this month, will go ahead.