🔗 Share this article

Donald Trump’s latest ultimatum to impose an additional complete levy on items imported from China has been called a “typical example” of US double standards, according to the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that China could enact its own unrevealed “retaliatory steps” if the US President carries out his pledge, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a looming trade conflict.

On Friday, Trump responded at China’s decision to strengthen its regulations for overseas sales of critical elements, accusing the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

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

His statements on that day rattled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index dropping nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

These statements reignited fears of a trade war between the United States and China.

Earlier this year, the respective governments had agreed to remove high import duties on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the two nations.

This left, American import duties on Chinese goods subject to an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering China face a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the relevant government department in the form of written responses to press queries – reflected language from the zenith of the latest commercial tensions.

They criticised US export restrictions on electronic components while justifying the country’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earths as “routine measures” to protect domestic safety and that of all nations.

The spokesperson said that for “many years”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, abused overseas sale restrictions and “enforced” unfair treatments against Beijing.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the correct approach to deal with Beijing,” the official said.

“China’s position on a trade conflict has consistently been unchanging: we do not want one, but we are fearless of one.”

The previous week, China revealed it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on rare earths and further resources essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a key move, as the state handles about 90% of the world’s rare earths, which are used in items such as solar panels and smartphones.

Latest statements from the US and China are being seen by some as a means of enhancing bargaining power in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a summit between the former president and China’s leader, expected at a conference in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.