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The former US president’s latest ultimatum to impose an further complete levy on products from China has been called a “classic case” of US double standards, according to the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that China could enact its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant follows through on his warning, adding that the country was “unafraid” of a potential trade war.

Last Friday, Donald Trump hit back at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its policies for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, accusing Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

He also vowed to cancel a planned summit with Chinese leader President Xi, which was expected to take place during a meeting in South Korea before the month ends.

The former president’s remarks on Friday rattled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 falling by nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

The president’s words revived fears of a trade conflict between the US and China.

In May, the two sides had consented to remove triple-digit tariffs on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the economic powers.

This left, US tariffs on Chinese goods subject to an extra import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market face a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the relevant government department in the format of written responses to press queries – echoed rhetoric from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised United States controls on semiconductors and chips while defending China’s own export controls on rare earths as “normal actions” to ensure domestic safety and that of every country.

The spokesperson stated that for “a long time”, the US had “overstretched the concept of national security, exploited overseas sale restrictions and “adopted discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the correct approach to engage with China,” the official said.

“China’s position on a tariff war has always been consistent: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, Beijing declared it was strengthening overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and further resources critical for high-technology production.

This was seen as a important measure, as the state refines about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are used in goods such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by observers as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of upcoming negotiations.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between Trump and President Xi, expected at a high-level meeting in South Korea later this month, will go ahead.