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The former US president’s newest warning to enforce an further complete levy on products from China has been called a “typical example” of US double standards, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A representative of the ministry also stated that China could introduce its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the American leader follows through on his warning, noting that the country was “fearless” of a potential commercial battle.

On Friday, Donald Trump hit back at Beijing’s move to reinforce its regulations for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, charging Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

Additionally, he threatened to cancel a scheduled meeting with Chinese leader President Xi, which was set for a meeting in Seoul before the month ends.

His statements on last Friday shook financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index dropping nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

The president’s words renewed apprehensions of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

In May, the both nations had consented to drop high import duties on each other’s goods, which had led to concerns of trade halting between the two countries.

Consequently, American import duties on Chinese goods incurring an added thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the country are subject to a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – released by the relevant government department in the format of formal replies to press queries – mirrored terminology from the peak of the recent trade conflict.

They criticised United States controls on semiconductors and chips while supporting Beijing’s export controls on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to protect national security and that of every country.

Their representative said that for “a long time”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of state security, misused export control measures and “enforced” unfair treatments against China.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the proper method to deal with the Chinese government,” the official stated.

“China’s position on a trade conflict has remained consistent: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, Beijing declared it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and further resources critical for high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the country refines about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in products such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

Latest statements from both governments are being interpreted by analysts as a means of enhancing bargaining power ahead of future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a meeting between Donald Trump and President Xi, expected at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea later this month, will take place as planned.