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Donald Trump’s most recent warning to impose an extra full import duty on Chinese goods has been labeled a “classic case” of US double standards, according to the China’s leadership.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that the nation could enact its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the White House occupant follows through on his threat, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a possible commercial battle.

This past Friday, the former president retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its rules for overseas sales of rare earths, charging China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

Additionally, he warned to pull out of a arranged summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a summit in Seoul before the month ends.

His statements on last Friday shook financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index closing down nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

The president’s words renewed concerns of a trade conflict between the US and China.

This past spring, the both nations had agreed to drop high import duties on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

This left, American import duties on Chinese goods subject to an extra import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while American products entering China incur a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of formal replies to media inquiries – reflected language from the peak of the recent trade conflict.

Officials denounced US export restrictions on chips and semi-conductors while supporting the country’s own restrictions on exports on rare earths as “routine measures” to safeguard domestic safety and that of the global community.

The official stated that for “a long time”, the America had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, abused overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” unfair treatments against China.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the correct approach to interact with Beijing,” the official stated.

“The nation’s view” on a tariff war has always been steady: we are not seeking one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government revealed it was tightening overseas sale regulations on rare earths and other materials vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the state handles about 90% of the planet’s critical minerals, which are utilized in goods such as solar panels and mobile phones.

New remarks from the US and China are being seen by observers as a means of bolstering negotiating stances in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a talks between Donald Trump and China’s leader, expected at a summit in Seoul in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.