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Trump’s latest ultimatum to enforce an further complete levy on items imported from China has been labeled a “classic case” of US double standards, per the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that China could enact its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the US President executes his warning, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a potential commercial battle.

This past Friday, Donald Trump responded at Beijing’s move to strengthen its rules for foreign shipments of rare earths, charging Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “captive”.

Additionally, he threatened to pull out of a scheduled summit with Chinese leader Xi, which was set for a summit in South Korea in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on Friday shook global markets, with the S&P 500 falling by 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

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

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

Consequently, US tariffs on Chinese imports subject to an additional 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the country face a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the relevant government department in the form of written responses to media inquiries – echoed language from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while justifying the country’s own restrictions on exports on rare earths as “standard procedures” to protect domestic safety and that of all nations.

The official stated that for “an extended period”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, misused export control measures and “implemented” discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the right way to interact with the Chinese government,” the official said.

“Beijing’s stance” on a trade conflict has consistently been unchanging: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Recently, China declared it was tightening export controls on rare earths and other materials essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a key move, as the country refines about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are used in goods such as solar panels and mobile phones.

The recent comments from Washington and Beijing are being interpreted by analysts as a means of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a talks between Trump and China’s leader, scheduled at a summit in Seoul before month’s end, will take place as planned.