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The former US president’s newest ultimatum to impose an extra complete levy on products from China has been described as a “prime illustration” of US double standards, per the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that China could implement its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the US President executes his warning, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a potential commercial battle.

On Friday, Trump hit back at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its policies for foreign shipments of critical elements, alleging China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “hostage”.

Furthermore, he threatened to cancel a planned talks with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was set for a meeting in South Korea in the coming weeks.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday unsettled financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index dropping nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

These statements renewed apprehensions of a commercial dispute between the two economic giants.

In May, the two sides had consented to drop high import duties on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

This left, United States levies on products from China 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.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the Commerce Ministry in the format of written responses to press queries – echoed rhetoric from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced United States controls on chips and semi-conductors while supporting Beijing’s export controls on key elements as “standard procedures” to safeguard state interests and that of the global community.

The spokesperson said that for “an extended period”, the US had “broadened the definition” of domestic safety, abused export control measures and “implemented” unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Turning to” trade levy ultimatums is not the correct approach to engage with Beijing,” the spokesperson said.

“The nation’s view” on a tariff war has always been steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

Recently, China declared it was tightening export controls on rare earths and other materials vital for cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the nation processes about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are used in products such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

New remarks from both governments are being seen by observers as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances prior to forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a summit between the former president and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a summit in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will go ahead.