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Trump’s latest warning to impose an additional complete levy on items imported from China has been labeled a “classic case” of US double standards, per the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that Beijing could introduce its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the White House occupant executes his threat, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a potential commercial battle.

Last Friday, Donald Trump hit back at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its regulations for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, charging China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

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

His statements on that day shook global markets, with the S&P 500 falling by 2.7%, marking its largest decline since last spring.

His comments reignited concerns of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

Earlier this year, the respective governments had reached an agreement to eliminate significant levies on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the economic powers.

Consequently, US tariffs on Chinese imports facing an additional 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the country are subject to a import levy.

The most recent comments from China – issued by the relevant government department in the manner of written responses to press queries – echoed language from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while supporting Beijing’s restrictions on exports on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to ensure domestic safety and that of every country.

Their representative stated that for “a long time”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, misused foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” discriminatory practices against China.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the proper method to deal with Beijing,” the official stated.

“The nation’s view” on a import duty dispute has remained unchanging: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government revealed it was tightening overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and further resources critical for high-technology production.

This was seen as a important measure, as the country processes about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are used in products such as solar panels and smartphones.

New remarks from the US and China are being seen by observers as a method of bolstering negotiating stances prior to upcoming negotiations.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between the former president and President Xi, expected at a conference in South Korea in the coming weeks, will still proceed.