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Donald Trump’s latest threat to introduce an additional full import duty on Chinese goods has been called a “classic case” of US double standards, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A representative of the ministry also stated that the nation could introduce its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the American leader follows through on his threat, adding that the country was “unafraid” of a looming trade war.

This past Friday, the former president retaliated at Beijing’s move to tighten its rules for overseas sales of critical elements, alleging Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the world “hostage”.

Furthermore, he threatened to pull out of a scheduled summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was arranged for a conference in South Korea later this month.

His statements on that day shook global markets, with the S&P 500 dropping nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

His comments reignited concerns of a trade conflict between the United States and China.

Earlier this year, the both nations had agreed to drop significant levies on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

As a result, American import duties on products from China facing an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering the country are subject to a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of official answers to press queries – reflected rhetoric from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

They criticised American limits on exports on electronic components while justifying Beijing’s overseas sale regulations on key elements as “standard procedures” to ensure national security and that of the global community.

The official said that for “an extended period”, the America had “broadened the definition” of national security, misused export control measures and “adopted discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Turning to” import duty warnings is not the right way to engage with China,” their representative stated.

“Beijing’s stance” on a trade conflict has always been consistent: we wish to avoid one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, China announced it was tightening export controls on rare earth minerals and other materials vital for high-technology production.

This was seen as a important measure, as the nation handles about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are employed in products such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

Latest statements from the US and China are being viewed by analysts as a method of bolstering negotiating stances in preparation for future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between Trump and President Xi, scheduled at a conference in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will still proceed.