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The former US president’s most recent ultimatum to enforce an additional complete levy on items imported from China has been called a “prime illustration” of US double standards, as stated by the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that China could implement its own unrevealed “countermeasures” if the White House occupant carries out his threat, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a potential commercial battle.

This past Friday, the former president responded at China’s decision to tighten its regulations for overseas sales of critical elements, alleging China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

He also warned to pull out of a scheduled talks with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was set for a summit in Seoul before the month ends.

Trump’s comments on that day rattled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 falling by 2.7%, marking its largest decline since last spring.

The president’s words reignited concerns of a trade war between the US and China.

In May, the respective governments had agreed to drop high import duties on each other’s products, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the two countries.

As a result, American import duties on Chinese goods facing an added import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering the Chinese market incur a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of formal replies to media inquiries – mirrored language from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while supporting the country’s own export controls on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to ensure state interests and that of the global community.

Their representative remarked that for “a long time”, the US had “broadened the definition” of national security, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “adopted unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the right way to deal with Beijing,” the spokesperson stated.

“The nation’s view” on a trade conflict has remained unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

Last week, China announced it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on key elements and further resources essential to high-technology production.

This was seen as a significant step, as the state handles about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are employed in items such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being seen by some as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a summit between Donald Trump and China’s leader, expected at a summit in South Korea in the coming weeks, will still proceed.