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Donald Trump’s newest threat to impose an extra full import duty on Chinese goods has been described as a “prime illustration” of US double standards, according to the China’s leadership.

A representative of the ministry further commented that Beijing could introduce its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the White House occupant follows through on his pledge, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a potential commercial battle.

Last Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at Beijing’s move to reinforce its rules for exports of rare earth minerals, alleging the Chinese leadership of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “hostage”.

Furthermore, he warned to withdraw from a arranged talks with China’s President President Xi, which was set for a summit in Seoul later this month.

His statements on last Friday rattled global markets, with the S&P 500 share index falling by over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since last spring.

These statements reignited apprehensions of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

In May, the both nations had reached an agreement to remove significant levies on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

This left, US tariffs on products from China incurring an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering the country face a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the format of official answers to journalist’s questions – mirrored language from the height of the recent trade conflict.

They criticised American limits on exports on electronic components while supporting the country’s own overseas sale regulations on key elements as “standard procedures” to protect state interests and that of the global community.

The official said that for “many years”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, exploited export control measures and “implemented” unfair treatments against Beijing.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the proper method to deal with the Chinese government,” the official stated.

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

Last week, China declared it was reinforcing export controls on key elements and further resources essential to cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a important measure, as the state processes about 90% of the world’s rare earths, which are used in goods such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

The recent comments from the US and China are being interpreted by some as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power prior to forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a talks between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, expected at a conference in South Korea before month’s end, will still proceed.