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The former US president’s newest ultimatum to enforce an additional full import duty on products from China has been called a “classic case” of US double standards, according to the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that China could enact its own unrevealed “countermeasures” if the American leader follows through on his pledge, adding that the country was “fearless” of a looming trade conflict.

On Friday, the former president responded at China’s decision to reinforce its regulations for foreign shipments of critical elements, charging China of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “hostage”.

Additionally, he warned to withdraw from a scheduled summit with China’s President Xi, which was expected to take place during a meeting in South Korea later this month.

His statements on Friday rattled stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index falling by 2.7%, marking its steepest fall since last spring.

These statements revived concerns of a trade conflict between the two economic giants.

In May, the both nations had agreed to remove high import duties on each other’s goods, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

As a result, American import duties on Chinese imports incurring an extra 30% levy compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering China face a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the Commerce Ministry in the format of written responses to media inquiries – echoed rhetoric from the height of the recent trade conflict.

Officials denounced United States controls on semiconductors and chips while defending China’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earths as “routine measures” to protect national security and that of all nations.

The official remarked that for “a long time”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, exploited export control measures and “implemented” unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the proper method to engage with Beijing,” the spokesperson said.

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

Last week, Beijing declared it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on key elements and other materials vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a key move, as the state processes about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in goods such as solar panels and mobile phones.

New remarks from the US and China are being viewed by analysts as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a talks between Trump and President Xi, expected at a high-level meeting in Seoul before month’s end, will take place as planned.