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The former US president’s most recent threat to impose an further full import duty on items imported from China has been called a “classic case” of US double standards, according to the Chinese government.

A representative of the ministry further commented that China could enact its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the US President carries out his pledge, adding that the country was “unafraid” of a looming trade war.

This past Friday, Donald Trump hit back at Beijing’s move to strengthen its regulations for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, accusing Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

Furthermore, he vowed to pull out of a arranged talks with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a meeting in the Republic of Korea later this month.

Trump’s comments on that day rattled global markets, with the S&P 500 share index dropping nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

These statements reignited concerns of a trade war between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the two sides had agreed to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the economic powers.

Consequently, United States levies on products from China facing an extra 30% levy compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering the country incur a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the form of official answers to journalist’s questions – echoed rhetoric from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while justifying the country’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to safeguard state interests and that of the global community.

The official stated that for “many years”, the America had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, misused foreign shipment regulations and “enforced” discriminatory practices against China.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to engage with Beijing,” the spokesperson commented.

“China’s position on a trade conflict has remained steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

Last week, Beijing revealed it was tightening export controls on rare earth minerals and further resources critical for high-technology production.

The action was viewed as a important measure, as the state handles about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are utilized in products such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being seen by some as a means of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of forthcoming discussions.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between the former president and Xi Jinping, planned at a high-level meeting in South Korea before month’s end, will take place as planned.