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The former US president’s latest ultimatum to introduce an extra complete levy on products from China has been labeled a “classic case” of US double standards, per the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that China could enact its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the American leader carries out his warning, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a possible trade war.

Last Friday, the former president hit back at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its rules for overseas sales of critical elements, charging China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

Additionally, he threatened to cancel a arranged summit with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was expected to take place during a conference in Seoul later this month.

His statements on that day rattled stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index falling by over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since last spring.

These statements reignited concerns of a trade conflict between the United States and China.

This past spring, the both nations had reached an agreement to eliminate significant levies on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of commerce ceasing between the economic powers.

Consequently, United States levies on products from China subject to an added 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering China face a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – published by the Commerce Ministry in the format of written responses to press queries – reflected rhetoric from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on electronic components while supporting the country’s own overseas sale regulations on key elements as “normal actions” to protect national security and that of all nations.

Their representative stated that for “many years”, the America had “overstretched the concept of state security, abused export control measures and “adopted unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Turning to” trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to engage with the Chinese government,” their representative commented.

“Beijing’s stance” on a trade conflict has always been consistent: we do not want one, but we are fearless of one.”

The previous week, Beijing declared it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and other materials vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a important measure, as the country processes about 90% of the planet’s critical minerals, which are employed in goods such as renewable energy components and mobile phones.

The recent comments from Washington and Beijing are being interpreted by some as a method of strengthening positions in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between Trump and China’s leader, planned at a summit in Seoul in the coming weeks, will go ahead.