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The former US president’s newest ultimatum to impose an additional 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been called a “typical example” of US double standards, according to the China’s leadership.

A representative of the ministry also stated that the nation could enact its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant executes his warning, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a possible trade war.

Last Friday, the former president hit back at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its regulations for overseas sales of rare earths, accusing Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

Additionally, he warned to pull out of a scheduled summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was set for a meeting in South Korea before the month ends.

Trump’s comments on Friday unsettled financial markets, with the S&P 500 closing down over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since April.

His comments reignited apprehensions of a trade war between the US and China.

This past spring, the both nations had consented to remove high import duties on each other’s goods, which had led to concerns of trade halting between the two countries.

This left, United States levies on products from China subject to an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while American products entering the Chinese market incur a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – released by the Ministry of Commerce in the format of written responses to press queries – echoed language from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

Officials denounced United States controls on chips and semi-conductors while supporting Beijing’s overseas sale regulations on key elements as “standard procedures” to ensure state interests and that of every country.

The spokesperson remarked that for “many years”, the US had “broadened the definition” of state security, abused export control measures and “enforced” biased policies against Beijing.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the correct approach to deal with Beijing,” their representative stated.

“Beijing’s stance” on a import duty dispute has consistently been steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

Recently, Beijing revealed it was strengthening overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and additional substances vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a important measure, as the state refines about 90% of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in products such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

Latest statements from both governments are being viewed by analysts as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power ahead of upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a talks between Trump and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will still proceed.