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The former US president’s newest ultimatum to enforce an additional complete levy on Chinese goods has been labeled a “classic case” of US double standards, per the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that Beijing could implement its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the White House occupant carries out his threat, adding that the country was “unafraid” of a looming trade war.

Last Friday, the former president retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its policies for exports of critical elements, charging Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “hostage”.

Additionally, he warned to cancel a arranged meeting with China’s President President Xi, which was expected to take place during a summit in the Republic of Korea later this month.

His statements on last Friday shook global markets, with the benchmark US stock index falling by nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

His comments renewed fears of a commercial dispute between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the both nations had reached an agreement to remove high import duties on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of commerce ceasing between the economic powers.

Consequently, United States levies on Chinese imports incurring an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the Chinese market face a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the format of official answers to media inquiries – mirrored terminology from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised US export restrictions on chips and semi-conductors while justifying the country’s own restrictions on exports on key elements as “routine measures” to protect national security and that of all nations.

The official remarked that for “an extended period”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, abused foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” discriminatory practices against Beijing.

“Using” trade levy ultimatums is not the correct approach to engage with the Chinese government,” the official said.

“The nation’s view” on a trade conflict has always been unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government revealed it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and additional substances critical for high-technology production.

This was seen as a significant step, as the nation handles about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are employed in items such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

New remarks from the US and China are being interpreted by some as a means of enhancing bargaining power prior to forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a meeting between Trump and President Xi, planned at a conference in Seoul in the coming weeks, will still proceed.