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The former US president’s newest ultimatum to enforce an further full import duty on products from China has been labeled a “prime illustration” of US double standards, per the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry also stated that China could implement its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the American leader follows through on his pledge, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a looming trade war.

On Friday, the former president responded at Beijing’s move to tighten its policies for overseas sales of rare earths, alleging the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

Additionally, he vowed to pull out of a scheduled meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a conference in Seoul in the coming weeks.

His statements on last Friday shook stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index dropping nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since last spring.

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

In May, the respective governments had reached an agreement to eliminate high import duties on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the two nations.

Consequently, US tariffs on products from China facing an added import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the country incur a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the Commerce Ministry in the format of official answers to journalist’s questions – reflected language from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while defending China’s own overseas sale regulations on key elements as “normal actions” to protect domestic safety and that of every country.

The official remarked that for “many years”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, exploited export control measures and “adopted biased policies against China.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the right way to engage with the Chinese government,” the official stated.

“The nation’s view” on a tariff war has consistently been steady: we are not seeking one, but we are fearless of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government declared it was strengthening export controls on rare earth minerals and additional substances critical for high-technology production.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the country handles about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are employed in items such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being seen by observers as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power prior to upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a talks between Trump and Xi Jinping, planned at a summit in the Republic of Korea later this month, will still proceed.