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Trump’s newest warning to introduce an extra complete levy on products from China has been called a “prime illustration” of US double standards, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that the nation could introduce its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the American leader executes his threat, adding that the country was “fearless” of a potential trade war.

This past Friday, Trump responded at Beijing’s move to strengthen its rules for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, accusing China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

Furthermore, he vowed to withdraw from a planned summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was expected to take place during a summit in the Republic of Korea before the month ends.

His statements on Friday unsettled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index closing down over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

His comments renewed concerns of a trade war between the two economic giants.

This past spring, the respective governments had consented to eliminate significant levies on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

Consequently, American import duties on Chinese goods facing an extra 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering China face a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the relevant government department in the format of written responses to journalist’s questions – reflected language from the peak of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned United States controls on chips and semi-conductors while justifying the country’s own restrictions on exports on key elements as “routine measures” to safeguard domestic safety and that of all nations.

The official said that for “many years”, the America had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, abused foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” biased policies against Beijing.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the proper method to engage with Beijing,” the official said.

“The nation’s view” on a trade conflict has remained unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

The previous week, China revealed it was reinforcing export controls on rare earths and additional substances critical for high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the nation handles about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are utilized in items such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

Latest statements from both governments are being seen by some as a strategy of strengthening positions in preparation for future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between Trump and China’s leader, expected at a high-level meeting in South Korea in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.