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Donald Trump’s latest ultimatum to introduce an additional full import duty on Chinese goods has been described as a “classic case” of US double standards, as stated by the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that Beijing could introduce its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant carries out his warning, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a looming trade conflict.

Last Friday, Trump retaliated at China’s decision to strengthen its rules for overseas sales of critical elements, alleging the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

Additionally, he vowed to cancel a arranged talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a conference in the Republic of Korea later this month.

His statements on last Friday shook stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index falling by nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since April.

These statements reignited concerns of a trade war between the two economic giants.

In May, the both nations had reached an agreement to drop triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

As a result, US tariffs on Chinese imports facing an extra import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the country incur a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of official answers to press queries – reflected terminology from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

They criticised American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while supporting Beijing’s restrictions on exports on key elements as “standard procedures” to ensure national security and that of every country.

Their representative stated that for “many years”, the US had “overstretched the concept of national security, exploited export control measures and “adopted biased policies against China.

“Turning to” trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to interact with the Chinese government,” the official stated.

“China’s position on a trade conflict has remained steady: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Last week, China announced it was strengthening overseas sale regulations on rare earths and additional substances essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a important measure, as the country processes about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in products such as solar panels and smartphones.

The recent comments from the US and China are being viewed by observers as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a talks between Donald Trump and China’s leader, expected at a conference in Seoul before month’s end, will still proceed.