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Donald Trump’s latest ultimatum to impose an further full import duty on products from China has been labeled a “prime illustration” of US double standards, as stated by the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that the nation could enact its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the US President executes his pledge, adding that the country was “fearless” of a possible trade conflict.

Last Friday, Trump responded at Beijing’s move to tighten its rules for exports of rare earths, alleging the Chinese leadership of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

He also threatened to cancel a arranged summit with China’s President Xi, which was set for a conference in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

The former president’s remarks on Friday rattled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index dropping nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since April.

The president’s words renewed apprehensions of a trade conflict between the two economic giants.

This past spring, the respective governments had reached an agreement to drop high import duties on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of trade halting between the economic powers.

As a result, United States levies on Chinese goods incurring an added 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering China are subject to a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of written responses to media inquiries – echoed rhetoric from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on electronic components while justifying the country’s own restrictions on exports on rare earths as “routine measures” to protect state interests and that of all nations.

The spokesperson said that for “many years”, the United States had “broadened the definition” of domestic safety, exploited overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the right way to deal with China,” their representative stated.

“China’s position on a tariff war has always been unchanging: we are not seeking one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Last week, China announced it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and additional substances vital for cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the state handles about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are used in goods such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

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

Is not yet known whether a talks between the former president and China’s leader, planned at a high-level meeting in South Korea later this month, will still proceed.