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The former US president’s most recent ultimatum to introduce an extra full import duty on Chinese goods has been labeled a “prime illustration” of US double standards, according to the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry also stated that China could implement its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the American leader follows through on his warning, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a possible trade war.

On Friday, Trump hit back at Beijing’s move to tighten its policies for overseas sales of critical elements, alleging the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “hostage”.

Additionally, he threatened to cancel a scheduled summit with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was arranged for a summit in South Korea later this month.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday rattled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 dropping 2.7%, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

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

This past spring, the respective governments had consented to drop triple-digit tariffs on each other’s goods, which had led to concerns of trade halting between the economic powers.

This left, United States levies on products from China facing an extra import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while items from the United States entering the country are subject to a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of written responses to journalist’s questions – mirrored rhetoric from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while defending China’s own restrictions on exports on rare earths as “standard procedures” to protect national security and that of every country.

The spokesperson stated that for “many years”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, misused export control measures and “implemented” discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the correct approach to deal with China,” the official commented.

“Beijing’s stance” on a import duty dispute has consistently been consistent: we do not want one, but we are fearless of one.”

Recently, the Chinese government announced it was reinforcing export controls on rare earths and further resources essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a significant step, as the nation refines about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are used in goods such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

The recent comments from the US and China are being viewed by analysts as a means of enhancing bargaining power ahead of future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a talks between Donald Trump and President Xi, planned at a summit in South Korea before month’s end, will still proceed.