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Trump’s latest ultimatum to impose an extra full import duty on products from China has been described as a “typical example” of US double standards, per the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that China could implement its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the White House occupant follows through on his threat, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a looming trade conflict.

This past Friday, Donald Trump responded at Beijing’s move to tighten its regulations for overseas sales of critical elements, alleging China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “hostage”.

Additionally, he vowed to cancel a planned summit with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was set for a meeting in South Korea later this month.

Trump’s comments on Friday unsettled financial markets, with the S&P 500 closing down 2.7%, marking its largest decline since April.

His comments renewed fears of a trade war between the United States and China.

Earlier this year, the two sides had consented to eliminate high import duties on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

As a result, American import duties on Chinese imports incurring an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the country face a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the relevant government department in the form of official answers to journalist’s questions – mirrored terminology from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while justifying the country’s own overseas sale regulations on key elements as “standard procedures” to ensure domestic safety and that of every country.

The official stated that for “a long time”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, misused export control measures and “enforced” discriminatory practices against China.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the right way to deal with Beijing,” the official commented.

“China’s position on a tariff war has consistently been unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

Recently, China declared it was strengthening export controls on rare earth minerals and other materials critical for advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the country refines about 90% of the planet’s critical minerals, which are employed in products such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

New remarks from both governments are being seen by observers as a means of bolstering negotiating stances prior to upcoming negotiations.

It is unclear whether a summit between Trump and China’s leader, scheduled at a summit in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will go ahead.