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Donald Trump’s most recent threat to introduce an further full import duty on items imported from China has been labeled a “typical example” of US double standards, per the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that the nation could implement its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the White House occupant carries out his warning, noting that the country was “fearless” of a possible trade war.

Last Friday, the former president responded at Beijing’s move to strengthen its regulations for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, alleging the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

Additionally, he threatened to pull out of a scheduled talks with China’s President President Xi, which was expected to take place during a summit in Seoul in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on Friday shook global markets, with the S&P 500 share index dropping 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since April.

The president’s words reignited apprehensions of a trade conflict between the United States and China.

Earlier this year, the both nations had consented to remove triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of trade halting between the two countries.

Consequently, American import duties on Chinese goods subject to an extra 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market incur a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of formal replies to media inquiries – reflected rhetoric from the peak of the recent trade conflict.

Officials denounced United States controls on electronic components while justifying China’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to protect national security and that of the global community.

Their representative said that for “a long time”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, misused export control measures and “implemented” unfair treatments against Beijing.

“Turning to” import duty warnings is not the proper method to engage with Beijing,” the official commented.

“The nation’s view” on a import duty dispute has consistently been consistent: we do not want one, but we are fearless of one.”

Recently, the Chinese government revealed it was strengthening overseas sale regulations on key elements and other materials vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the state handles about 90% of the world’s rare earths, which are used in items such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

New remarks from both governments are being interpreted by observers as a means of strengthening positions prior to forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a talks between the former president and China’s leader, scheduled at a summit in Seoul later this month, will take place as planned.