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Donald Trump’s newest threat to introduce an additional complete levy on Chinese goods has been described as a “prime illustration” of US double standards, as stated by the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that the nation could enact its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the White House occupant executes his warning, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a possible commercial battle.

Last Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its regulations for overseas sales of critical elements, charging the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “captive”.

Additionally, he warned to withdraw from a scheduled talks with Chinese leader Xi, which was expected to take place during a conference in the Republic of Korea later this month.

Trump’s comments on that day rattled global markets, with the S&P 500 falling by over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

The president’s words reignited concerns of a trade war between the United States and China.

In May, the respective governments had reached an agreement to remove significant levies on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

As a result, United States levies on Chinese goods facing an additional 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering China face a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of formal replies to journalist’s questions – mirrored language from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

The remarks condemned United States controls on electronic components while supporting China’s own restrictions on exports on rare earths as “normal actions” to ensure domestic safety and that of the global community.

The official remarked that for “many years”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, misused foreign shipment regulations and “adopted discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the proper method to interact with the Chinese government,” the spokesperson commented.

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war has remained steady: we are not seeking one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Last week, the Chinese government declared it was strengthening overseas sale regulations on key elements and additional substances essential to high-technology production.

The action was viewed as a important measure, as the country processes about 90% of the world’s rare earths, which are used in items such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being seen by some as a means of enhancing bargaining power in preparation for upcoming negotiations.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between Donald Trump and President Xi, expected at a high-level meeting in South Korea in the coming weeks, will go ahead.