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Donald Trump’s latest threat to impose an additional full import duty on items imported from China has been labeled a “classic case” of US double standards, per the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry also stated that the nation could introduce its own unrevealed “retaliatory steps” if the American leader follows through on his warning, noting that the country was “fearless” of a looming commercial battle.

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

He also threatened to cancel a scheduled meeting with Chinese leader President Xi, which was set for a meeting in the Republic of Korea later this month.

The former president’s remarks on that day shook global markets, with the S&P 500 share index closing down over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

The president’s words renewed apprehensions of a commercial dispute between the US and China.

This past spring, the both nations had reached an agreement to eliminate high import duties on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the economic powers.

This left, American import duties on Chinese imports subject to an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering the Chinese market are subject to a import levy.

The most recent comments from China – published by the Commerce Ministry in the form of official answers to press queries – reflected language from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while justifying Beijing’s restrictions on exports on rare earths as “routine measures” to safeguard national security and that of every country.

The official remarked that for “many years”, the US had “overstretched the concept of state security, abused export control measures and “implemented” biased policies against Beijing.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the proper method to deal with China,” their representative stated.

“Beijing’s stance” on a import duty dispute has consistently been unchanging: we are not seeking one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Recently, the Chinese government declared it was reinforcing export controls on key elements and additional substances essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the nation refines about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are utilized in goods such as solar panels and handheld devices.

New remarks from the US and China are being viewed by some as a method of enhancing bargaining power in preparation for upcoming negotiations.

It is unclear whether a summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, expected at a summit in South Korea later this month, will still proceed.