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Trump’s latest warning to introduce an further complete levy on products from China has been called a “prime illustration” of US double standards, per the Chinese government.

A representative of the ministry also stated that Beijing could introduce its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the American leader carries out his warning, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a possible commercial battle.

On Friday, Donald Trump hit back at Beijing’s move to tighten its regulations for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, alleging Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “hostage”.

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

The former president’s remarks on that day shook global markets, with the S&P 500 closing down 2.7%, marking its largest decline since April.

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

In May, the respective governments had reached an agreement to eliminate high import duties on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of commerce ceasing between the two nations.

As a result, US tariffs on Chinese goods incurring an additional import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering the country face a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – published by the relevant government department in the form of formal replies to journalist’s questions – echoed rhetoric from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while supporting China’s own overseas sale regulations on key elements as “standard procedures” to safeguard national security and that of the global community.

The official remarked that for “many years”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, abused export control measures and “adopted biased policies against China.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the right way to engage with the Chinese government,” their representative said.

“The nation’s view” on a import duty dispute has remained consistent: we are not seeking one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Recently, Beijing declared it was reinforcing export controls on rare earth minerals and further resources critical for advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a important measure, as the nation processes about 90% of the global rare earth supply, which are utilized in items such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

New remarks from the US and China are being seen by analysts as a means of strengthening positions in preparation for future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between Trump and President Xi, expected at a conference in Seoul in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.