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Donald Trump’s most recent threat to enforce an further full import duty on Chinese goods has been called a “prime illustration” of US double standards, per the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that China could introduce its own unrevealed “responsive actions” if the White House occupant carries out his threat, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a possible trade war.

Last Friday, Trump hit back at Beijing’s move to strengthen its regulations for overseas sales of critical elements, alleging the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

Furthermore, he vowed to pull out of a scheduled meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a summit in Seoul in the coming weeks.

His statements on that day shook stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index closing down nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

These statements reignited fears of a trade conflict between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the two sides had reached an agreement to remove triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

As a result, US tariffs on Chinese goods incurring an additional import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the country face a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – published by the Commerce Ministry in the format of written responses to press queries – reflected rhetoric from the height of the recent trade conflict.

Officials denounced US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while supporting China’s own export controls on key elements as “standard procedures” to safeguard national security and that of all nations.

The spokesperson said that for “a long time”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, misused foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” biased policies against Beijing.

“Turning to” trade levy ultimatums is not the correct approach to interact with China,” their representative said.

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

Recently, China declared it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earths and further resources vital for cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the nation processes about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are utilized in items such as solar panels and smartphones.

The recent comments from the US and China are being viewed by some as a means of enhancing bargaining power prior to upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a summit between the former president and President Xi, planned at a high-level meeting in South Korea in the coming weeks, will still proceed.