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Trump’s newest threat to introduce an additional 100% tariff on items imported from China has been called a “typical example” of US double standards, per the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that Beijing could enact its own unrevealed “countermeasures” if the US President executes his warning, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a possible trade war.

This past Friday, Trump responded at Beijing’s move to strengthen its rules for exports of critical elements, accusing Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

He also threatened to pull out of a planned talks with Chinese leader Xi, which was set for a conference in South Korea later this month.

Trump’s comments on last Friday unsettled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index falling by over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

The president’s words renewed apprehensions of a trade conflict between the two economic giants.

Earlier this year, the respective governments had consented to drop significant levies on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of commerce ceasing between the two countries.

This left, United States levies on products from China facing an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while items from the United States entering China incur a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of official answers to media inquiries – mirrored terminology from the zenith of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced US export restrictions on electronic components while defending the country’s own restrictions on exports on rare earth minerals as “normal actions” to ensure state interests and that of every country.

Their representative stated that for “many years”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “enforced” discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Using” tariff threats is not the right way to interact with Beijing,” the spokesperson commented.

“The nation’s view” on a import duty dispute has consistently been steady: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Recently, China announced it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and additional substances critical for high-technology production.

The action was viewed as a important measure, as the country processes about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are used in products such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

Latest statements from both governments are being seen by some as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances in preparation for upcoming negotiations.

It is unclear whether a meeting between the former president and Xi Jinping, planned at a high-level meeting in Seoul later this month, will still proceed.