🔗 Share this article

The former US president’s most recent threat to enforce an extra complete levy on Chinese goods has been labeled a “prime illustration” of US double standards, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A representative of the ministry further commented that the nation could enact its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the White House occupant carries out his warning, adding that the country was “unafraid” of a looming trade conflict.

On Friday, the former president hit back at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its regulations for exports of critical elements, alleging the Chinese leadership of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

Additionally, he threatened to pull out of a scheduled meeting with China’s President President Xi, which was expected to take place during a conference in Seoul later this month.

His statements on that day unsettled financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index falling by 2.7%, marking its largest decline since April.

These statements renewed fears of a trade war between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the respective governments had consented to eliminate significant levies on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the two countries.

This left, United States levies on Chinese imports subject to an extra import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the country incur a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – released by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of official answers to media inquiries – echoed language from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while justifying China’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to ensure national security and that of the global community.

The official remarked that for “a long time”, the America had “overstretched the concept of national security, misused export control measures and “implemented” unfair treatments against China.

“Turning to” import duty warnings is not the proper method to interact with China,” the spokesperson said.

“China’s position on a tariff war has consistently been steady: we are not seeking one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, China revealed it was tightening export controls on key elements and other materials essential to high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the country processes about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in goods such as solar panels and mobile phones.

Latest statements from both governments are being seen by observers as a method of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a talks between the former president and China’s leader, planned at a summit in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will still proceed.